Carolina opened its 2025 home season at Karen Shelton Stadium with wins against Appalachian State and Liberty during the weekend.
On Friday against the Mountaineers, No. 2 UNC took the lead inside of a minute and led 2-0 after the first quarter thanks to goals from Ryleigh Heck and Charly Bruder. Bruder struck again in the second quarter, as did reigning National Offensive Player of the Week Dani Mendez, to give the Tar Heels a 4-0 lead at halftime. Overall, Carolina outshot Appalachian State 11-0 in the half.
Sanne Hak added UNC’s fifth and final goal of the game in the third quarter, and the Tar Heel defense kept the Mountaineers off the board completely in the 5-0 win. It was Carolina’s second shutout win of the season.
No. 9 Liberty provided a stiffer challenge Sunday, but Carolina once again took an early lead after freshman Reese Anetsberger found the back of a cage after just one minute of game time. Heck added a second goal late in the second quarter. The Flames scored with one second left in the third to cut the deficit to 2-1, but Bruder delivered the clinching score in the waning minutes of the fourth to seal the 3-1 UNC win.
Carolina outshot Liberty 16-4 overall and held the Flames without a shot, on target or otherwise, for the entire fourth quarter.
The two wins improve UNC to 6-0 on the season. Carolina will remain at home next weekend when it hosts Cal and Stanford at Karen Shelton Stadium to begin ACC play.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati
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