Women's soccer

Money, expensive cars and pricey mansions have become synonymous with professional athletes.

But as a couple of North Carolina women’s soccer players are about to find out, not all professional athletes lead a life of luxury.

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS — North Carolina entered the 2009 season with the reigning national player of the year, a national championship and an offense that scored 89 goals in 28 games the previous season.

But the success of the Tar Heels did not come just from their offensive production. That same team allowed only 16 goals and returned its entire backline and goalkeeper.

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS -- The North Carolina women's soccer team won its 20th NCAA national title Sunday at Aggie Soccer Stadium, defeating Stanford 1-0.

The Cardinal entered the match with a perfect 25-0 record.

UNC got on the board after just two minutes and 50 seconds of play when Casey Nogueira found Jessica McDonald seven yards out for the only score of the game.

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS — Casey Nogueira delivered for a second time in two seasons for North Carolina against Notre Dame in the NCAA Tournament. But Irish head coach Randy Waldrum didn’t even know it was the senior forward that showed his team the exit.

“Did she score the goal tonight?,” Waldrum asked the media. “Well I was going to sit here and tell you I thought we did a really good job on her tonight.”

North Carolina and Notre Dame have played a very even first half match in their NCAA Semifinal match in College Station, Texas. At halftime, the score is 0-0.

UNC has outshot the Irish 12 to four. Casey Nogueira leads the team with four shots, with one of them on goal. Tobin Heath has had her one shot hit the crossbar in the 21st minute of the match.

North Carolina returns to College Station, Texas, in the 2009 NCAA College Cup. In this NCAA semifinal matchup, the Tar Heels are pitted against Notre Dame, with both teams boasting identical 21-3-1 records.