Women’s Soccer Dominates Duke, 3

CARY, N.C. – Marking the 28th occasion in the history of the program – and the fourth instance in the past seven NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Tournaments – the North Carolina women’s soccer team is set to participate in the national championship match.

The No. 2-seeded Carolina team defeated the top-seeded Duke, 3-0, on Friday evening during the 2024 NCAA College Cup semifinals in front of a packed audience at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. This was the fourth face-off between the two teams this season, with UNC triumphing in both postseason encounters.

Ranked eighth nationally, the Tar Heels now boast a record of 21-5 (7-3 ACC) for the season, while the Blue Devils conclude their campaign at 18-3-1 (9-0-1).

In pursuit of their 23rd national championship, Carolina will take on Wake Forest in the national title match on Monday, Dec. 9, at WakeMed Soccer Park. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

How It Unfolded

• Maddie Dahlien drew a foul in the penalty area, resulting in a penalty kick for Carolina in the 10th minute. Kate Faasse took the penalty and converted with a shot to the upper right corner, giving UNC an early lead.
• UNC extended its advantage in the 24th minute following a turnover by Duke. Bella Gaetino intercepted the ball in midfield and delivered an impressive over-the-top pass to Olivia Thomas, who held off her defender and forced the goalkeeper off her line to score with a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner from the edge of the 18-yard box.
• Thirteen minutes later, Carolina was nearly up 3-0 as Thomas fired a beautiful shot that hit the crossbar. Dahlien was ready for the rebound but her attempt went high.
• The Tar Heels maintained their 2-0 lead at halftime, even though the Blue Devils had a 13-8 advantage in shots, including a 5-4 edge in shots on goal. Clare Gagne made five crucial saves in the first half.
• Carolina’s only attempt in the second half proved sufficient for a 3-0 lead. Thomas navigated through traffic to set up a pass to Faasse on the right flank. Faasse then delivered a precise chip into the box that found Dahlien, who created just enough space to strike the ball with her right foot into the lower left corner. 
• With solid defense from Aven Alvarez, Trinity Armstrong, Emerson Elgin and Bella Gaetino, UNC’s strong defensive line restricted Duke to just four shots during the second half, none of which were on target. 

Box Score Breakdown

• Faasse marked her 20th goal of the season, officially claiming the title of the nation’s top goal scorer. She also recorded her fourth assist. 
• Faasse becomes the fourth Tar Heel to score 20 or more goals in a single season since the 2000s. Her count of goals (20) and points (44) now stands as the highest since Casey Nogueira’s stats of 25 goals and 58 points in 2008.
• Thomas recorded her eighth goal of the year, placing her second on the team. She is also third in points with 18.
• Dahlien scored her second goal of the season and currently has 11 points this year. 
• Gaetino earned her second career assist, bringing her to 12 points total which ranks her sixth on the team.  
• Gagne registered five saves, all occurring in the first half, and has been credited with 12 shutouts so far this season. 
• Before this match, Duke had not conceded a goal throughout the NCAA Tournament and had allowed only 13 goals all season.
• This marked the first time the Blue Devils were shut out since their season opener on August 15.
• UNC registered nine shots compared to Duke’s 17, with both teams landing five on frame. Thomas led with four shots, three of which were on target. 
• Dahlien has earned six fouls on Carolina’s 10 penalty kicks, having missed two due to World Cup duties.
• A total of six Tar Heels, including Alvarez, Armstrong, Elgin, Gaetino, Gagne and Aria Nagai, completed a full 90 minutes on the field.

NCAA Tournament Notes

• North Carolina has extended its record as the only program to participate in all 43 NCAA Tournaments.
• The Tar Heels’ all-time NCAA Tournament record now stands at 152-18-5. No other institution has achieved more than 83 victories. 
• Carolina boasts 21 NCAA titles along with one AIAW title from 1981, amounting to 22 national championships overall.
• Carolina has reached the College Cup 32 times, five of which occurred in the last seven tournaments. No other team has more than 14 appearances.  
• UNC has now reached the national championship match 28 times, including four out of the last seven, and has been the runner-up six times. 
• The Tar Heels have previously been a No. 2 seed 12 times, securing five NCAA titles as a second seed, including their latest championship in 2012.
• The Tar Heels have a history of 28-4 in semifinal matches, having outscored their semifinal foes 68-23.

Looking Ahead
Now just one step away from securing their 23rd national title in program history, the Tar Heels will return to Cary on Monday, Dec. 9, for their 28th national championship battle. The No. 2-seed Carolina will face fellow No. 2-seed Wake Forest.

Kickoff at WakeMed Soccer Park is set for 7 p.m. ET and will be aired nationally on ESPNU, with commentary from Marion Crowder, Jenn Hildreth, and Lori Lindsey. Tickets can be purchased here.

This matchup marks the second encounter this season between the Tar Heels and Demon Deacons. In their previous meeting on Sept. 12 in Chapel Hill, UNC emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline, featuring Faasse’s game-winning goal. Monday’s clash will be the fifth time Carolina and Wake Forest meet in the NCAA Tournament, the first since 2009, with UNC holding a 4-0 lead in NCAA matchups. 

This will also be the first NCAA title encounter since 1992 featuring two North Carolina teams competing against each other. 

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