No. 4-seed UNC women's soccer falls, 3-2, to No. 3-seed Florida State in ACC championship

CARY — The No. 4-seeded North Carolina women's soccer team (16-5, 7-3 ACC) fell to the No. 3-seeded Florida State Seminoles (14-2-3, 7-2-1 ACC), 3-2, in the ACC championships on Sunday afternoon at WakeMed Soccer Park. 

Looking for their first ACC championship title since 2019, the Tar Heels felt short after holding 2-1 lead up until the 62nd minute. In the 63rd minute, FSU was awarded a penalty opportunity, but the Seminoles found the equalizer with the kick and eventually took the lead. This victory marks the Seminoles fifth-straight ACC championship win. 

In the second minute of play, junior forward Maddie Dahlien broke away from her defender, finding a one-on-one opportunity with FSU goalkeeper Addie Todd. Dahlien took a shot on the left side of the field aiming for the bottom right side of the net, but the attempt was saved by Todd.

Dahlien found another opportunity in the 14th minute. Taking touches around defenders, Dahlien found space in the middle of the box. But it was saved by Todd again. 

The Tar Heels continued to attack. Positioned just outside of the box, junior defender Tessa Dellarose found space, but the shot was off target. 

In the 32nd minute, North Carolina broke through after a strong opening. 

After being fouled inside the box, Dahlien was awarded a penalty kick opportunity. Junior forward Kate Faasse took it, shooting the ball into the bottom left side of the net. 

Even with the lede, the Seminoles didn't let the lead last for long. 

Off a corner kick in the 34th minute, Dellarose attempted to pass the ball outside of the box to eliminate the threat, but forward Taylor Suarez rebounded the ball just outside of the box and sent a shot back into the bottom left of the goal.

In the 43rd minute, senior midfielder Bella Sember and Faasse connected to retake the lead. Positioned on the left side of the field, Sember found Faasse inside who put the header into the net. 

Following 15 minutes of back and forth, the Seminoles found themselves in Florida State territory. After a FSU throw-in, forward Ashlyn Puerta tried to find space in the box and was fouled by Dellarose. 

Awarded the penalty kick, FSU's Taylor Huff took it and found the net to make the score 2-2 in the 63rd minute. 

Four minutes later, the Seminoles took their first lead of the match. FSU's Jordynn Dudley saw Wrianna Hudson close to the net and sent the ball to her. Hudson sent a shot into the bottom left. 

Although UNC goalkeeper Clare Gagne got a hand on it, the move wasn't enough to keep it out. 

Both teams continued to press with the Tar Heel searching for the equalizer and the Seminoles trying to put the game out of reach. 

In the 79th minute, North Carolina had its past opportunity after Dahlien was fouled just outside the box. Sember took the opportunity, but the ball was saved by Todd. 

While UNC continued to press in the dying minutes, the team wasn't able to find the equalizer. 

This concludes the ACC tournament. The first round of the NCAA tournament will take place during the weekend of Nov. 15-17.

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