UNC Women’s Soccer Upsets Notre Dame, Moves On to First ACC Final Since 2009

Having seen a bit of regression in the past few years after once being the center of the sport, the UNC women’s soccer team entered Friday’s matchup against top-seeded Notre Dame in the ACC Semifinals looking to make a statement.

They did just that in the 86th minute, when Tar Heel freshman forward Bridgette Andrzejewski’s cross found teammate Annie Kingman in the middle of the box–where she delivered the game-winner in a thrilling 2-1 upset over the Fighting Irish.

Head coach Anson Dorrance and his squad will now make their first appearance in the conference title game since 2009 as they seek to end the longest title drought in the program’s storied history.

Playing at MUSC Health Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina, the Tar Heels were able to break through twice against a Notre Dame defense that had allowed just seven goals over its first 19 games.

Maya Worth–a redshirt junior for UNC who converted to forward prior to the year–scored the first goal of the season in the 22nd minute following a free kick from Kingman aimed right in front of the net.

This gave the Tar Heels an early advantage, which they never had during their 1-0 loss to Notre Dame earlier in the season.

The Fighting Irish capitalized on a UNC mistake in the 72nd minute, when Kaleigh Olmstead intercepted a pass meant to be sent from Tar Heel defender Maggie Bill to goalkeeper Lindsey Harris. Olmstead promptly took the ball and tied the game soon after.

Not to be outdone, however, the Tar Heels shifted into overdrive during the final minutes in order to find the winning goal.

Fresh off being named to the All-ACC First Team, as well as being recognized as the league’s Freshman of the Year, Andrzejewski sent in a perfect cross that got the job done.

In the past it would seem unheard of for the Tar Heels–who have won 22 of the 36 NCAA Championships in the sport–to go as many years as they have without an ACC Championship.

This year’s group, however, is looking to restore order in the league–one game at a time.

UNC will play the winner of Clemson and Florida State on Sunday at noon.