No. 15 UNC women's soccer defeats Wake Forest 2-1 for Anson Dorrance's 800th career win

The No. 15 North Carolina women's soccer team defeated Wake Forest 2-1 for Coach Anson Dorrance's 800th career win.

What happened?

For the third time in as many games the Tar Heels (8-2-3, 3-1-2 ACC) were tripped up early, allowing their opponent to score the first goal. In the 29th minute, the Tar Heels gave too much room to the Demon Deacons (8-6, 0-6 ACC) in front of the goal, allowing Wake Forest to poke a ball off of the hands of redshirt senior goalkeeper Lindsey Harris. Peyton Perea finished the ball into the net to put WFU up by one.

Yet, like the two previous games, the Tar Heels found a way to equalize. Just six minutes later, sophomore Ru Mucherera burned past the defense and buried a no-doubter in the back of the net to tie the game.

In an aggressive frenzy to end the first half, neither team took advantage of opportunities around the box. In the 37th minute, Wake Forest couldn't capitalize off of a free kick from a yellow card on the Tar Heel’s redshirt junior Jenny Chiu. North Carolina had an opportunity with 15 seconds to go, but Sarah Ashley Firstenberg’s close range shot sailed wide right, sending the teams to the locker room knotted at 1.

In the 23rd minute of the second half, Sarah Teegarden of Wake Forest was given a yellow card for a foul just outside of her own box. On the ensuing free kick, sophomore Dorian Bailey sailed one over the wall, off of the hands of Wake Forest goalkeeper Lindsay Preston and into the net.

The Tar Heels rode the lead for the remainder of the game en route to the 2-1 victory.

Who stood out?

Coaching his 900th career game on Sunday, Dorrance managed to tack on another first.

The starting lineup featured three true first-years on attack, the first time UNC has had a true all first-year front line in program history, according to a UNC official. Dorrance’s confidence in his young players paid off. Mucherera and Bailey tallied goals, and first-year Kasey Parker contributed an assist.

Above all, Dorrance himself stood out. His 800th victory is another milestone in his career as the most successful coach in college soccer history.

When was it decided?

The Demon Deacons remained desperate to tie the game until the closing seconds. It wasn’t until the Tar Heels were able to get the final possession as the clock wound down that they could celebrate the feeling of win number 800.

Why does it matter?

Besides the historical significance for the program, the win also has an impact on the Tar Heels ACC hopes in 2016. North Carolina is undefeated in their past five games after a two-game slide in September. But with two draws in ACC play, the Tar Heels wouldn’t settle for anything less than a win to climb the conference standings. In addition, this would be the team’s last home matchup before a three-game road stint.

The squad delivered, picking up their second conference victory in a row to move to 3-1-2 in ACC play.

Where do they play next?

North Carolina travels to Indiana on Oct. 14 to take on the No. 20 Notre Dame.

@James_Tatter

sports@dailytarheel.com