The UNC women’s soccer team rebounded from its loss at Virginia Tech in a big way. The Tar Heels hosted No. 13 Pitt at Dorrance Field Thursday night and left no doubt, winning 4-0 on the strength of three first-half goals. It’s Pitt’s first ACC loss of the season.

Carolina took 22 shots on the night, its most in a single match since August. Pitt took just five shots overall and four on goal, each of which met the gloves of UNC goalkeeper Emmie Allen. Allen’s fourth and final save came on a penalty kick in the 64th minute, preserving the clean sheet.

Sam Meza, Tori Hansen, Talia Dellaperuta and Maddie Dahlien each scored for the Tar Heels. For Dellaperuta and Dahlien, it was their first goal of the season. Dahlien is a freshman from Edina, MN, who had registered a season-high three shots in Carolina’s loss in Blacksburg. As a reward, head coach Anson Dorrance played her a season-high 37 minutes against the Panthers.

Meza, Hansen and Dellaperuta each scored in a span of 26 minutes in the first half. Meza connected on a long-range shot from outside Pitt’s 16-yard box, catching the Panther keeper flat-footed. Hansen scored on a clinical corner kick play for her fourth goal of the season, and Dellaperuta rocketed one into the upper right corner of the goal from distance. Add in Dahlien’s breakaway goal in the second half, and each UNC score was beautiful in its own way.

Carolina is now 10-3 overall and 3-2 in ACC play. The Tar Heels have two more home matches in a row before ending the regular season with three straight road tilts. The first of those home matches will come against NC State on Sunday at 1 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Soccer on Twitter


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