The No. 1 UNC women’s soccer team fell for the first time in 2022 on Sunday afternoon, dropping a hotly-contested match with No. 3 UCLA at Dorrance Field, 2-1.

It’s the first time all season UNC has given up multiple goals in a single match.

A scoreless first half gave way to scoring aplenty in the second. Freshman Tori Dellaperuta gave Carolina the lead early in the second half, scoring for the third consecutive match. But the Tar Heels uncharacteristically couldn’t hold on to the lead, as UCLA equalized in the 61st minute and pushed in front in the 84th. UNC had no answer in the remaining few minutes.

Carolina’s offensive frustrations weren’t for a lack of trying. On the day, the Tar Heels outshot the Bruins 16-7 and held a 10-1 advantage in corner kicks. UCLA’s goalkeeper, Lauren Brzykcy, made four saves and outperformed either of UNC’s two keepers, Emmie Allen and Marz Josephson. Josephson played the second half and allowed both UCLA goals. It’s perhaps the first real sign of separation between the two Tar Heel keepers, who have been consistently splitting time since the season began.

The loss drops Carolina to 5-1 and, in all likelihood, out of their No. 1 ranking. The road will not get any easier, as the Tar Heels will next pay a visit to No. 2 Duke in Durham on Thursday night. The Blue Devils dealt Carolina a 1-0 loss in Chapel Hill last season.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Soccer on Twitter

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 biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
This Week in UNC Sports: November 2-8, 2026
Election? What election? A busy fall for Tar Heel sports rolls on as several teams begin ACC Tournament play this week.
UNC Women's Soccer Controls SMU, Wins 2-0 in Regular-Season Home Finale
UNC outshot visiting SMU 30-0 at Dorrance Field Thursday night on its way to a 2-0 win against the Mustangs. Thursday’s match was the final home match of the regular season for the Tar Heels. Got it done 👏#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/wH6TLVmYPp — UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) October 30, 2026 Despite Carolina’s dominance in possession, […]
This Week in UNC Sports: October 26-November 1, 2026
This series of posts will be made weekly on Chapelboro with a full schedule of UNC sports contests, both in Chapel Hill and elsewhere. Note that game times and broadcast information are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. The week of Halloween means several UNC sports will be wrapping up their […]
UNC Soccer: Women Beat No. 7 Stanford, Men Draw at Duke
Both UNC soccer teams were in action Friday night. At Dorrance Field, the Tar Heel women rebounded from a loss at Wake Forest with a 1-0 win vs. No. 7 Stanford, while over in Durham the men played to a 2-2 draw at Duke. In the women’s match, Bella Devey’s goal in the 70th minute […]
This Week in UNC Sports: October 19-25, 2026
This series of posts will be made weekly on Chapelboro with a full schedule of UNC sports contests, both in Chapel Hill and elsewhere. Note that game times and broadcast information are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. October will roll on with another very busy week of Tar Heel sports. […]
UNC Sports: Field Hockey Wins; Volleyball, Women's Soccer Both Lose On the Road
Several UNC women’s sports programs were in action Sunday. The field hockey team earned a ranked win at home, while the volleyball team and the top-ranked women’s soccer team both fell on the road to highly-ranked foes. In field hockey, a late goal from Charly Bruder broke a 1-1 tie with No. 13 Syracuse and […]
UNC Women's Soccer Wins at Clemson to Remain Unbeaten in ACC Play
A Hope Munson goal in the 37th minute was all No. 1 UNC needed to earn a 1-0 win at Clemson Thursday night. It was Carolina’s first match in 13 days after its fixture at Florida State last week was postponed due to Hurricane Isaias. Found a way 👏#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/x7jvDOWjOy — UNC Women's […]
This Week in UNC Sports: October 12-18
More and more of UNC's winter sports are beginning their seasons as we hit the middle of October, and "crossover season" is upon us.
UNC Soccer, Field Hockey Players Take Home ACC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week Awards
UNC’s Bella Devey and Cali O’Neill were named the ACC’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week Tuesday. For Devey, it’s the third such honor of her career and the second consecutive week she has won it. O’Neill is Defensive Player of the Week for the first time. No surprises here 🤷‍♀️@BellaDevey with her third […]
First-Half Flurry Helps UNC Women's Soccer Dispatch No. 12 Notre Dame
Top-ranked UNC scored three goals in the first half to build an early lead against No. 12 Notre Dame at Dorrance Field Friday night, and the Tar Heels cruised from there to a 4-1 victory. Heels on top!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/SD8Iic7759 — UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) October 3, 2026 Reigning ACC Offensive Player of the […]
›