The UNC women’s soccer team opened its preseason with authority Sunday at Dorrance Field, crushing visiting VCU 5-0. It’s the first of two preseason matches for the Tar Heels, who play one more exhibition next Saturday before officially beginning the regular season against Tennessee on August 18.

Carolina hit the front early, scoring just 2:29 into the game on a strike from junior Avery Patterson. Carolina doubled its lead just two minutes later on a goal from senior defender Julia Dorsey. Dorsey came into the match with just one goal in her three-year career with the Tar Heels.

Tori Dellaperuta, younger sister of junior forward Talia, scored her first goal as a Tar Heel just before the half, making it 3-0 Carolina after 45 minutes. Talia was not with the team for the match, as she and forward Ally Sentnor are currently competing with the U20 U.S. Women’s National Team at the World Cup in Costa Rica.

UNC scored twice more in the second half, getting another goal from Patterson and the first in the career of freshman Kate Faasse.

Carolina dominated in all facets of the match, taking 35 shots (16 of which were on-target) to just five for the Rams. The Tar Heels also took 14 corner kicks while completely shutting VCU out in that regard.

UNC will likely face a stiffer challenge in its second and final preseason match, as No. 3 BYU will visit Dorrance Field on Saturday at 6 p.m. Carolina is ranked No. 10 in the same preseason poll.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Soccer on Twitter

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