As the clock ticked into the 87th minute in Massachusetts, it looked like the No. 5 UNC women’s soccer team would suffer its first road loss of the season. The upstart Boston College Eagles held a 1-0 lead, and had only allowed the Tar Heels to take four shots on goal.

That all changed when junior defender Julia Dorsey, who had only played in two games before Sunday, tapped in a cross from teammate Emily Moxley to knot up the match at a goal apiece. Moxley’s ball sailed over the gloves of the Boston College goalkeeper and looked like it might go in on its own, but Dorsey removed any doubt. Her goal, which traveled perhaps a millimeter, was her first of the season.

Once in the sudden-death overtime period, Carolina controlled play, not allowing a single Boston College shot. And in the 98th minute, it was junior midfielder Maggie Pierce who delivered the dagger, sending a rocket from outside the 18-yard box into the net for the match-winning goal. Like Dorsey’s just minutes before, Pierce’s also was her first goal of the season. Dorsey and Pierce are the 12th and 13th Tar Heels to score this season, a list which includes goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.

The goal capped off a hard-fought match which was as statistically even as any UNC has played this season. The Tar Heels took 15 shots to BC’s 11 and were called offsides six times. Dickey made three saves on four BC shots on goal. Sunday was also the third overtime affair for UNC in the past five matches, having tied against both Virginia Tech and Virginia.

With the comeback win, No. 5 Carolina remains undefeated in road matches this season at 5-0. They improved to 10-1-2 overall and 3-1-2 in conference. The Tar Heels will have an extended rest before another road match at NC State on Saturday, October 16.

 

Featured image via Boston College Athletics


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