Kate Faasse scored 7:12 into sudden-victory overtime to give Carolina a 2-1 win against No. 4 seed Penn State in the NCAA quarterfinals on Friday night at Dorrance Field, advancing the Tar Heels through to the College Cup in Cary next weekend. It’s UNC’s 32nd appearance in the national semifinals.
Carolina trailed early, as the Nittany Lions took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. It was the first goal given up by the Tar Heels in the tournament.
Despite UNC holding an 18-6 advantage in shots in the first half, Penn State’s lead lasted until halftime. But less than four minutes into the second half, ACC All-Freshman honoree Bella Gaetino scored her fifth goal of the season to draw the Tar Heels level.
Carolina continued to threaten the Penn State net, outshooting the Lions 9-2 in the second half, but could not find a winner by the 90th minute.
The match went to overtime, where golden goal rules took effect. The Tar Heels continued to control possession in the extra session, holding Penn State without a shot and sending three of their own toward the Lions’ net before Faasse’s heroics. On the deciding play, the junior from Arizona connected on a corner kick from Tessa Dellarose from point-blank range, sending her teammates and the Dorrance Field crowd into hysterics.
It was Faasse’s 19th goal of the season and third in four matches during the NCAA Tournament.
Carolina is now 20-5 on the season. The Tar Heels are the third ACC team to punch its ticket to the College Cup, joining Wake Forest and Stanford. Duke and Virginia Tech will face off on Saturday, guaranteeing all four teams in the semifinals will be ACC members. UNC will face either the Blue Devils or the Hokies in Cary on Friday, December 6.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Ainsley E. Fauth
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