Late Goal Helps UNC Women’s Soccer Win ACC Opener at Virginia Tech

Olivia Thomas scored a tiebreaking goal in the 87th minute to help UNC escape with a 2-1 victory at Virginia Tech in the ACC opener Thursday night in Blacksburg.

Thomas’ strike capped off a late flurry of scoring after the teams had played to a 0-0 tie for much of the game. Tessa Dellarose broke that tie in the 73rd minute, rocketing a shot from outside the box into the back of the net. It was the first goal of the season for the senior Dellarose, who did not play in the first five matches.

The Hokies answered less than four minutes later, capitalizing on a rare chance to even the match up once again at 1-1. It was the last of Virginia Tech’s three shots on target for the night.

Aven Alvarez threatened to break the tie in the 85th minute, sending a shot on goal which was saved by the Hokie goalkeeper. But it only set the stage for Thomas, who pounced on a loose header by a Virginia Tech defender and launched the game-winning goal into the side netting with her first touch.

Thomas has now scored six goals in her last four matches and a team-high eight for the season. The Tar Heels are unbeaten in matches where she scores.

The win is UNC’s sixth in a row following a 1-2 start. Carolina is now 7-2 overall on the season and 1-0 in ACC play. Up next for UNC is a showdown with No. 7 Florida State at Dorrance Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

‹

Rachel Jones of UNC Women's Soccer Receives Academic Recognition

Senior Rachel Jones of the UNC women’s soccer team is one of the leaders of a Tar Heels side pursuing a 23rd national championship in program history. In August, Jones was named to the preseason All-ACC team, but she’s still making time to achieve in the classroom as well. Jones, who earned her bachelor’s degree […]

Chansky's Notebook: Coach For The Ages

Hail to Anson Dorrance, the 800-win man. He’s has been so good for so long, and so self-effacing, that Anson Dorrance lives below the radar. He has not only built Carolina women’s soccer into a national powerhouse, he is the man most responsible for making the game a phenomenon for the female gender. And he […]

Two Weekend Wins Get UNC Women's Soccer Off to Undefeated Start

A pair of shutouts over the weekend vaulted the ninth-ranked UNC women’s soccer team to an undefeated start to the new season. UNC took on the University of Central Florida in the season-opening match on Friday night as part of the 2016 Carolina Nike Classic at Fetzer Field. Two second-half goals – one each from […]

UNC Grad Katie Bowen Representing New Zealand at Rio Olympics

Another UNC Tar Heel has been chosen to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games. Katie Bowen will represent New Zealand as a member of the women’s soccer team at the games beginning next month. Bowen is a 2016 UNC graduate for played for Carolina’s national title squad in 2012 and earned All-Conference and All-America honors […]

UNC Field Hockey Places 5 on Academic All-ACC Team

Five UNC field hockey student-athletes have been named to the 2015 All-Atlantic Coast Conference Academic team, which was announced Monday. Seniors Casey Di Nardo, Nina Notman and Emily Wold were joined by sophomore Sam Night and freshman Malin Evert representing the Tar Heels. Wold was one of two members of the All-Academic team to make […]

UNC's Dorrance Awarded Top Honor from US Soccer

UNC women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance has been named the 2016 winner of the Werner Fricker Builder Award – U. S. Soccer’s highest honor. The award is given to an individual or group who have dedicated at least 20 years of services to the sport, working to establish a lasting legacy in the history and […]

UNC Women's Soccer Beats Boston College to Snap Losing Streak

Two late goals from Kate Faasse broke a 1-1 tie and helped UNC beat Boston College 3-1 at Dorrance Field Thursday night. The win snapped a two-match losing streak for the Tar Heels. Bounced back👏#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/2fccJq1rCV — UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) October 3, 2025 Carolina took a 1-0 lead thanks to a 39th-minute […]

Strong 2nd Half Not Enough as UNC Women's Soccer Falls at No. 2 Notre Dame

Freshman Lauren Malsom recorded a brace with two goals at No. 2 Notre Dame Wednesday night, but it wasn’t enough to help UNC dig out of an early deficit and the Tar Heels fell 4-3. It’s the team’s second consecutive loss. Malsom’s first goal came in the 39th minute, by which time the Tar Heels […]

UNC Women's Soccer Falls to No. 7 Florida State in Chapel Hill

A second-half goal helped No. 7 Florida State beat UNC 1-0 at Dorrance Field Wednesday night. The loss is Carolina’s first at home this season and snaps a 10-match home winning streak which dates back to the 2024 season. The Seminoles controlled much of the possession in the first half, outshooting the Tar Heels 7-3 […]

Late Goal Helps UNC Women's Soccer Win ACC Opener at Virginia Tech

Olivia Thomas scored a tiebreaking goal in the 87th minute to help UNC escape with a 2-1 victory at Virginia Tech in the ACC opener Thursday night in Blacksburg. Gritty win to open ACC play💪#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/K3bgsVDPNh — UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) September 12, 2025 Thomas’ strike capped off a late flurry of scoring […]

›