For the third straight game, the eighth-ranked UNC women’s soccer team used a game-winning goal from Dorian Bailey.

Bailey’s goal on Sunday was her fifth of the season, and it helped lift the Tar Heels past No. 11 Virginia in Charlottesville at Klockner Stadium by a score of 2-1–the first time UNC has beaten the Cavaliers on the road since 2010.

Virginia (6-3-2, 1-1-1 ACC) struck first in the match with an 11th-minute goal from Montana Sutton, but the Tar Heels (7-2, 3-0 ACC) weren’t about to go down lightly.

Freshman standout Alessia Russo put UNC on the board in the 23rd minute, with Bailey and Bridgette Andrzejewski picking up the assists. Andrzejewski then set up Bailey for a shot from eight yards out just four minutes later–which ultimately ended up providing the difference.

Despite Virginia tallying eight shots in the second half–compared to just two for the Tar Heels–head coach Anson Dorrance’s defense did just enough to hold onto the victory.

The result was UNC’s third straight victory over a team ranked in the top 20, and a 3-0 start to conference play for the third time in the last four seasons.

Up Next:

The Tar Heels will look to continue their recent run of good form on Saturday, when they host Syracuse at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. That game is scheduled to start at noon.

 

 

 

Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)