An early 1-0 deficit didn’t phase the No. 4 UNC women’s soccer team in a Top-10 showdown with No. 8 Arkansas in Chapel Hill on Sunday. The Tar Heels kept their cool and kept the Razorbacks at bay for the rest of the match, using a pair of second-half goals to earn a hard-fought 3-1 win.

A rocket from freshman Mia Oliaro got the Tar Heels on level terms in the 41st minute, roughly 20 minutes after Arkansas had taken the lead. It was Oliaro’s first career collegiate goal, and sent the teams to halftime tied at 1-1.

The Razorbacks continued to manufacture chances in the second half, but three critical saves from goalkeeper Emmie Allen kept them off the scoresheet. That set the stage for striker Ally Sentnor to maneuver her way through the Arkansas defense and rip a shot into the top corner, giving UNC its first lead of the day. Sixteen minutes later, Avery Patterson put the match to bed with her second goal of the season, slotted just past the Razorback goalkeeper on a Carolina breakaway.

UNC’s three goals came on only seven shots on goal. The Razorbacks managed just five, with Allen saving the final four after giving up the early goal. Her four saves are her most on the season.

Carolina has now scored at least three goals in three consecutive matches after scoring just three times total in its first three. The Tar Heels went 4-0-1 on their five-match homestand and are now 4-0-2 on the season. Their next match is a difficult road test at No. 13 South Carolina on Thursday at 7 p.m., with a match at No. 5 Alabama looming the following Sunday.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Soccer on Twitter


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