Sember’s Penalty Kick Gives Women’s Soccer 1-0 Win At Syracuse

Sunday, September 22

Syracuse, N.Y.

Noon ET

North Carolina

10-1-0, 3-0-0

Syracuse

6-5-1, 0-4-0

North Carolina

Syracuse

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Sember’s Penalty Kick Gives Women’s Soccer 1-0 Win At Syracuse

September 22, 2024 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A successfully converted penalty kick from Bella Sember was the deciding factor in a 1-0 win for No. 8 North Carolina women's soccer over Syracuse on Sunday afternoon at SU Soccer Field in central New York.

The Tar Heels improve to 10-1 on the year and remain undefeated in Atlantic Coast Conference action at 3-0. The Orange drop to 6-5-1 (0-4 ACC).

The win marked Carolina's fourth straight shutout, as the team has now only allowed one goal in its last eight games.

How It Happened

Carolina was slow to find its rhythm throughout the majority of the first half and struggled to connect some of its passes, despite having several opportunities in the final third. On the other end of the pitch, UNC defense stood strong and was able to break up any Syracuse attack.
SU's attempt to clear a cross in the 28th minute provided a good chance for UNC, as the ball deflected off a defender which gave Ashley Pennie space to follow it towards goal. However, goalkeeper Shea Vanderbosch jumped off her line to grab the ball before Pennie could get her boot on it.
Emerson Elgin also had an opportunity in the 43rd minute but after working inside along the 18-yard box, her chip lacked enough power, resulting in a comfortable save from Vanderbosch.
The Tar Heels held an 8-0 edge in shots after 45 minutes with three of their attempts on frame. UNC and SU went into the break scoreless for the first time in the series.
Carolina put together a solid string of play at the start of the second half. Building up through the middle, Sember found herself 1v1 with Vanderbosch, but her low shot from a tricky angle was ultimately denied.
A lengthy VAR review looked at two potential scenarios: a handball and a subsequent foul inside the box. The initial no-foul call was overturned, awarding the Tar Heels a penalty kick in the 66th minute. With Sember stepping up to the spot, her well-struck penalty landed in the lower left corner to give UNC a 1-0 lead.
That goal gave the Tar Heels a spark as evident by the team quickly taking three shots in the few minutes following Sember's converted PK, but were unable to add an insurance goal. Carolina's defensive unit remained rock solid and Clare Gagne made a crucial save in the 88th minute for a 1-0 final score.

Inside the Box Score

Sember scored her fifth goal of the year, which was her second penalty. She also converted a penalty kick against North Dakota.
Carolina out-shot Syracuse 17-4, including 7-2 on goal. Linda Ullmark had a game-high six shots.
The Tar Heels have held all its opponents to five shots on goal or fewer. They have also kept all opponents to 15 shots or fewer, and all but one to 11 or under.
Along with Denver and North Dakota, it was the third time this year UNC's defense did not allow a shot in the first half.
Gagne made two saves between the posts and picked up her seventh shutout of the year.
Eight Tar Heels logged a full 90 minutes: Trinity Armstrong, Tessa Dellarose, Emerson Elgin, Kate Faasse, Bella Gaetino, Gagne, Aria Nagai and Linda Ullmark.
UNC kept their unblemished mark against the Orange, improving to 10-0 in the all-time series.

Up Next
The eighth-ranked Tar Heels return to Chapel Hill for a Friday night showdown against the Virginia Cavaliers on Sept. 27 at Dorrance Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET and the match will air on ACCNX. Tickets are available for purchase here.

Stay up to date with UNC women's soccer by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.