CARY, N.C. — The No. 2 seed UNC women's soccer team (22-5) defeated the No. 2 seed Wake Forest Demon Deacons (16-4-4), 1-0, during the NCAA Championship on Monday evening at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
Although the Tar Heels only recorded one shot in the first half, sophomore forward Olivia Thomas' goal in the 62nd minute propelled North Carolina to its 23rd national championship title. This is UNC's first title since 2012 and first under interim head coach Damon Nahas after head coach Anson Dorrance retired four days before the season after 47 years of coaching.
The Demon Deacons took control in the opening minutes. Wake Forest's Sierra Sythe found room in the middle of the box off a corner kick opportunity in the 13th minute. Graduate goalkeeper Clare Gagne dove to save the ball from entering the bottom center of the net.
Less than a minute later, Gagne made a similar save. Wake Forest recorded three shots on goal through 13 minutes of play, holding the Tar Heels to just one shot in total.
In the 34th minute, Wake Forest found another opportunity.
Forward Emily Murphy played a ball across the goal, but it was just out of reach. Although the Demon Deacons received a penalty opportunity in the 37th minuted, first-year Trinity Armstrong headed the ball out of the box. Midfielder Caiya Hanks shot the rebound over the goal to squash the chance.
As the half continued so did UNC's offensive struggles. Junior forward Maddie Dahlien and junior forward Kate Faasse — the nation's leading goal scorer — barely recorded a touch.
Both teams exited the first half even 0-0 with the Tar Heels only recording one shot.
North Carolina amped up the pressure in the second half. As UNC worked to maintain possession, the team attempted more shots eight minutes into the half than it did in the first. Sophomore forward Olivia Thomas' shot went wide in the 48th minute.
