Tar Heels Defeat UVa., Discover New Talent

Junior back Stephanie Fuller scored her first goal since 1999, and freshman midfielder Laura Douglas recorded her first career assist as the No. 4 Tar Heels defeated

No. 8 Cavaliers

3-0 at Henry Stadium.

Fuller, who was sidelined during UNC's first 12 contests with a partially torn calf muscle, put North Carolina (13-4, 3-3 in the ACC) on the board in the 14th minute.

"I've wanted to score for God knows how long," Fuller said. "To finally put one in, it kind of like let go of all the frustration that I've had.

After receiving a long pass from sweeper Abby Martin, Fuller found Charlotte Plugge on her right side. Plugge drew both defenders and fed the ball to the cutting Fuller for the assist.

That goal would prove to be the game winner, as the Tar Heel defense prevented UVa. from mounting any sustained offensive attack.

Martin and senior defender Susan Hayes cleared several balls Virginia

(11-6) sent into the circle, and goalkeeper Amy Tran made two saves to record the shutout.

"I didn't think we took care of the ball," Virginia coach Jessica Wilk said.

"I thought Carolina really put us on our heels."

Amber Chambers scored an unassisted goal with 9:38 left in the first half, and North Carolina took a 2-0 lead into the locker room.

While the Tar Heels held Virginia's offense in check in the second half, forward Kerry Falgowski continued her recent hot streak by scoring her fourth goal in the last two games.

The freshman deflected a shot from Douglas into the right corner of the net, giving UNC a 3-0 advantage.

Douglas, a freshman from New Zealand, is playing this season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

"Laura has really came through, and she's been a great addition to our team," Falgowski said.

The match was the final regular season home game for North Carolina and marked Shelton's 350th win at UNC.

The Tar Heels outshot the Cavaliers 14-7, and they will need a similar performance against No. 2 Old Dominion Saturday.

Wilk said, "(UNC) did a really nice job of picking us apart."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.