DURHAM – Playing in-state foe UNC Wilmington for the first time in program history, the ninth-ranked North Carolina women’s soccer team earned a 2-0 victory on Sunday. It was the team's final game in this weekend’s Duke Nike Classic, which took place at Koskinen Stadium.
UNC, now winners of three straight, improved to 4-1 with the win, and will look to see if its good form can carry over into a pair of tough upcoming road matches.
“I thought today was fine,” head coach Anson Dorrance said. “Obviously we would have loved to have scored some of the chances created but to Wilmington’s credit, that goalkeeper I thought had a blinder, and they never quit.”
What happened?
It didn’t take long for the Tar Heels to get going in an offensively-dominant first half, as Bridgette Andrzejewski nearly opened the scoring in the third minute.
Although that effort was denied by UNCW goalkeeper Sydney Schneider – who saved quite a few for the Seahawks – the Tar Heels eventually started the scoring in the 10th minute on forward Sydney Spruill’s first career goal.
The beneficiary of a crisp, low-to-the-ground service from midfielder Emily Fox on the end line, Spruill received the ball from less than six yards out. The first-year couldn’t have missed the target even if she tried to.
Spruill, who didn’t have the greatest of games against Auburn on Friday according to Dorrance, said notching her first goal was special, especially because of the support she’s received from her teammates.
“It felt great to finally get a goal for them and put us ahead,” Spruill said.
