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

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
‹
UNC's Bella Devey Named ACC Offensive Player of the Week for a Second Time
Following a two-goal performance in No. 1 UNC’s 3-1 win at No. 16 Virginia Friday evening, Bella Devey has been named the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Week. It’s the second time this season Devey has earned the honor and the second consecutive week a Tar Heel has taken it home, after Lilliah Blum did […]
UNC Women's Soccer Jumps to No. 1 in Newest National Coaches Poll
On the heels of a six-match winning streak which included a 4-2 win against then-No. 2 Duke, UNC jumped six spots from No. 7 to the No. 1 ranking in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll, released Tuesday. It’s the first time the team has been ranked No. 1 since the 2025 preseason poll, when […]
Photo Gallery: UNC Women's Soccer vs. Alcorn State
UNC beat Alcorn State 5-0 at Dorrance Field Sunday afternoon. Check out Caleb Rothrock's photo highlights from the match!
This Week in UNC Sports: September 21-27, 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. It’s a lighter week for UNC sports as we approach the end of […]
UNC Sports: Women's Soccer Wins; Men's Soccer, Field Hockey Both Lose
It was a busy weekend across the UNC sports spectrum, as both soccer teams and the field hockey team were in action late Saturday and early Sunday. The women’s soccer team continued its hot streak with a blowout win, while the men’s soccer and field hockey teams each suffered conference losses. The men’s team took […]
Second-Half Comeback Helps UNC Women's Soccer Beat No. 2 Duke in Chapel Hill
In front of the second-largest crowd in program history, UNC scored three unanswered goals in the second half to overcome a 2-1 deficit and beat No. 2 Duke 4-2 at Dorrance Field Thursday night. It was the Blue Devils’ first loss of the season and the Tar Heels’ first win of the season against a […]
This Week in UNC Sports: September 14-20, 2026
The upcoming week offers several high-caliber matchups for multiple UNC teams both at home and on the road.
UNC Women's Soccer Locks Down Cal, Wins ACC Opener
UNC held visiting Cal without a single shot on target Thursday night at Dorrance Field, and the Tar Heels cruised to a 3-0 win in their first ACC match of the season. Only way to start ACC play 👏#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/kHB8FgH2pT — UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) September 11, 2026 Carolina took the lead inside […]
UNC Soccer: Women Win at Arizona State, Men Draw at Cal
Both the UNC men’s and women’s soccer teams were playing out west Sunday. The women used a penalty kick goal to beat Arizona State 1-0 in Tempe, while the men battled to a 2-2 draw against Cal in Berkeley. On the women’s side, the Tar Heels and Sun Devils combined for just seven total shots […]
UNC Women's Soccer Beats Arizona in First Game of Western Trip
A pair of second half goals from Summer Denigan and Bella Devey helped UNC beat Arizona 2-1 in Tucson Thursday night. Found a way 👏#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/iLokMXQPye — UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) September 4, 2026 The two teams went into halftime tied at 0-0 despite UNC controlling most of the chances. The Tar Heels […]
›