University of North Carolina Athletics
Sunday, August 23
Chapel Hill, N.C.
1 p.m.
North Carolina
3-1-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
3
Michigan State
3-0-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan St. | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| North Carolina | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Photo by: DALTON WAINSCOTT
Women’s Soccer Falls To No. 5 Michigan State, 3-2
August 23, 2026 | Women's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 7 Carolina women's soccer welcomed no. 5 Michigan State to Chapel Hill Sunday afternoon. The Tar Heels ultimately dropped the match, 3-2.
How it Happened
The Tar Heels took several shots early in the match but were unable to finish.
In the 20th minute, Michigan State found an opening downfield as Kennedy Bell met the ball to net the first goal of the day. Bell's shot gave the Spartans a 1-0 lead while marking the first goal Carolina has conceded this season.
UNC regrouped and began pushing the pace on the offensive end. Two minutes after the Michigan State goal, Scottie Antonucci found the ball just outside the 18-yard box. She slipped the ball past two Spartan defenders, finding Summer Denigan in the box. Denigan finished the play, scoring her fourth goal of the season. The midfielder's goal tied the score at 1-1.
Neither team was able to gain momentum on the offensive end, leaving the first half knotted at one all.
Michigan State's Bell scored her second goal of the day just seven minutes into the second half. Her goal gave the Spartans an edge at 2-1.
In the 62nd minute, a red card was issued to Bella Gaetino, resulting in a free kick for Michigan State. Bella Najera took the shot for the Spartans, scoring the team's third goal of the match. As a result of the red card, the Tar Heels would have to play a man down the rest of the match.
Freshman Sealey Strawn was later fouled by a Spartan defender, resulting in a penalty kick for the Tar Heels. Strawn took the PK for Carolina drilling a shot to the back left corner of the goal. The striker's goal was the first of her career while helping UNC close the gap at 3-2.
Michigan State was able to hold on down the stretch to claim the victory.
Tar Heel Tidbits
- Summer Denigan notched her fourth goal of the season while scoring in the third consecutive match.
- Sealey Strawn scored her first career goal off a penalty kick.
- Carolina took 21 shots with five on goal.
- The three Michigan State goals were the first goals by an opponent Carolina has allowed this season.
- UNC took nine corner kicks compared to the two from Michigan State.
Players Mentioned
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
MSU
UNC
Goals
3
2
Shots
7
21
Shots on Goal
4
5
Saves
3
1
Corners
2
9
Fouls
16
15
Scoring Plays
Kennedy Bell (3)
Assisted By: Ella Janz
GOAL by MSU Bell, Kennedy Assist by Janz, Ella.
20:23
Summer Denigan (4)
Assisted By: Scottie Antonucci
GOAL by UNC Denigan, Summer Assist by Antonucci, Scottie.
22:51
Kennedy Bell (3)
Assisted By: Emerson Sargeant , Mackenzie Kruer
GOAL by MSU Bell, Kennedy Assist by Sargeant, Emerson and Kruer, Mackenzie.
52:52
Bella Najera (1)
GOAL by MSU Najera, Bella.
62:33
Sealey Strawn
UNC Sealey Strawn PENALTY KICK GOAL.
72:21
Game Leaders
Shots
4
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
mid
Shots
3
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Sunday, August 23
Sunday, August 23
Saturday, August 22
Saturday, August 22