Seconds after the ball whizzed down the seam of the Indiana goal, senior Crystal Dunn let out a whoop and leaped into the arms of freshman Amber Munerlyn. For Dunn, this embrace symbolized more than just a goal.
The North Carolina women’s soccer 4-0 victory against the Indiana Hoosiers Friday night marked Dunn’s first minutes of playing time since November 3rd. Although Dunn had been plagued by a hamstring injury for weeks, her legs still proved to be some of the best in the nation.
The Tar Heels exemplified their NCAA veteran status and immediately commanded control of the first half. UNC narrowly netted a goal within the first four minutes of play after a deflection from senior Kealia Ohai’s back to back volley attempts landed at the feet of Meg Morris.
Morris’s shot ricocheted into the side netting, but the Indiana defense barely had time to breathe before the Tar Heels penetrated the goal box again. A give-and-go combination between Ohai and Katie Bowen put Ohai in a dangerous position in front of the box, but Ohai’s shot soared wide in the eighth minute.
The Tar Heels continued to run at the Hoosier defensive line with their signature relentless pressure, but UNC corralled play in Indiana’s half without any finishing touches.
“I was very proud of our performance in the first half,” coach Anson Dorrance said. “I know a 1-0 margin is not a safe margin, but honestly we played so well I didn’t know what to tell the kids at half time.”
In the 34th minute, the Tar Heel fans erupted in cheering, but their attention was not focused on the field. Dunn waited at midfield to replace freshman Joanna Boyles, silencing week-long speculations about her playing condition. Only three minutes into her post-injury debut, Dunn gave the Tar Heels the edge with a finish from Cameron Castleberry’s cross.
“It was a great pass by Cameron,” said Dunn. “She pretty much put it right at my foot. It was a great knowing I only had ten minutes to play in the first half. Right now, I feel pretty good. I’m not at 100 percent, but this game was a good test.”
But Dunn, the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, was not complacent with a one-goal contribution.
Four minutes into the second half, Dunn penetrated the Indiana goal box and swing a short ball, around her two defenders to Amber Munerlyn. Munerlyn easily handled the first touch with her instep, sending a shot past the Hoosier goalkeeper.
“It means a lot to me having Crystal back,” said Munerlyn. “I really wanted to finish that for her. It gave me a lot of confidence because I’ve kind of been in a little slump.”
After the second goal, the Tar Heels let loose, tallying a final count of 23 shots to Indiana’s two. A long strike from Ohai in the 79th minute and cross deflection from sophomore Paige Nielson in the 85th stamped UNC’s ticket to the next round of the NCAA tournament. Despite some late drives from the Hoosier offense, the Tar Heel goal line never faced serious threats.
“We know a lot of schools will measure their season against how well they play us,” Dorrance said. “For these kids to try and defend this legacy, which I’m sure is stressful, and to do it well makes me unbelievable proud of them. Not only am I excited when we win, but I am excited when we win and play well.”
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