In its quest to end the program’s longest national title drought ever, the UNC women’s soccer team got off to a great start on Saturday–dispatching the Liberty Flames 3-0 in NCAA Tournament First Round action at Fetzer Field.

Freshman Madison Schultz provided the difference for the No. 2 seeded Tar Heels, as her third goal of the season gave UNC a lead it would never surrender heading into the 41st minute.

Dorian Bailey and Abby Elinsky each added goals of their own in the second half, finishing off a dominating performance that saw the Tar Heels take a season-high 29 shots compared to just two for Liberty.

For Elinsky–a junior midfielder–her goal in the 69th minute was her first in a Tar Heel uniform.

Winners of the Big South Conference, the Flames (14-8) entered Saturday’s game riding an eight-game winning streak.

Although head coach Anson Dorrance has led the Tar Heels to 22 of the 36 NCAA Championships that have been held during his legendary tenure, his teams have gone three straight years without taking home the big prize.

At 14-3-4 this season, this may not be the most talented team Dorrance has ever had, but UNC should be plenty motivated to put an end to that streak.

The Tar Heels will have the benefit of hosting their second round matchup next Friday, with the potential to play again at home should they advance to the third round.

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