No. 4-seed UNC women's soccers upsets No. 1-seed Duke, 2-1, to advance to ACC championship

CARY, N.C. — The No. 4-seeded UNC women's soccer team (16-4, 7-3 ACC) overcame the No. 1-seeded Duke Blue Devils (14-2-1, 9-0-1 ACC), 2-1, in the ACC tournament semifinals on Thursday night at WakeMed Soccer Park to advance to the ACC championship. 

After falling to the Blue Devils twice in the regular season for the first time in North Carolina program history, the Tar Heels defeated Duke thanks to the efforts of first-year defender Trinity Armstrong. Not only did Armstrong record a goal line save, but the defender also notched her first career goal at UNC. With this win, the Tar Heels uphold their undefeated record against Duke when playing at neutral sites and perfect marks against the Blue Devils in the ACC tournament. 

"They got the better of us twice and they made us better in those games," interim head coach Damon Nahas said. "Tonight, honestly, was about us trying to have that belief and get better."

In the 29th minute, the Blue Devils finally broke through after a controversial foul call in the box. Sophomore defender Cameron Roller positioned herself behind the ball and sent it into the bottom left side of the net. Although graduate goalkeeper Clare Gagne dived in an attempt to save it, Gagne couldn't get a hand on it quick enough. 

The Blue Devils continued to press the Tar Heels in the dwindling minutes of the first half.

At the 39th minute, Duke found room on the left side. Before the Blue Devils were able to attempt a shot, Armstrong closed down the lane, diving to kick the ball out of bounds. 

Led by the efforts of first-year defender Aven Alvarez, Gagne and Armstrong, the Tar Heels were able to keep the deficit at one goal entering halftime. 

Within the first five minutes of the second half, North Carolina found the equalizer.

Outside of the box just passed midfield, first-year midfielder Linda Ullmark sent a high-flying strike into Duke territory. Goalkeeper Leah Freeman attempted to drive and save it, but the ball bounced off her hands and into the back of the net. 

During the next three minutes of play, the match became chipper as three yellow cards were issued with two going to the Blue Devils. The intensity continued to rise. 

In the 59th minute, the Tar Heels looked to notch the go ahead goal with a free kick opportunity after Duke was called for a hand ball. Senior midfielder Bella Sember took the free kick and placed the ball right off the wall of Duke players who blocked the shot. The score remained 1-1. 

A series of back-and-forth ensued, but North Carolina received another chance in the 67th minute. Facing a one-on-one matchup with Freeman on the right side of the field at the goal, sophomore forward Olivia Thomas looked to place the ball into the net. The ball was off target. 

The Blue Devils looked to break the balance off a corner kick opportunity in the 70th minute. In a crowded box, Gagne left the net in an attempt to grab the ball and Duke's Farrah Walters recovered the ball and struck.

But the ball didn't find the back of the net. Armstrong was there to quickly kick it away. 

"I wanted to play against Duke," Armstrong said. "I know that we went into this game losing to them twice, and I knew that we wanted to take it to them and I wanted to be on the field to be able to help the team."

After a series of missed opportunities, the Tar Heels continued to apply pressure. In the 80th minute, it was Armstrong once again who did it for North Carolina. 

Off a corner kick opportunity, Armstrong found the back of the net with a header while positioned at the center of the goal. 

The Blue Devils were never able to recover. 

"I just have so much appreciation for our team and the work that they put in all year long," Nahas said. "And we just happen to be in a position now that we get to play for a championship."

The Tar Heels will play in the ACC tournament championship on Sunday at noon at WakeMed Soccer Park.

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