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.

Carolina took the lead inside the first 10 minutes, as Bella Devey tapped in a loose ball in front of the net mouth off of a corner kick. The Tar Heels’ second goal was just as clunky: on a UNC cross into the penalty area, the Cal goalkeeper ran off her line to punch it away. She connected with the ball, but hit it straight into her own defender and the ball deflected backward into the net for an own goal.

In the second half, BYU transfer Izzi Stratton connected with a cross to head in the first goal of her collegiate career, extending the UNC lead to 3-0. That would be more than enough, as the Tar Heels outshot the Bears 10-2 overall and held the opponent without a shot on target for the second time this season. Carolina has now allowed just one total goal across its past three matches — or four, when counting its 3-0 exhibition win against Irish professional side Shelbourne FC in August.

UNC is now 6-1 overall this season and 1-0 in ACC play. The Tar Heels will continue their homestand Sunday when they host the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) at Dorrance Field at 1 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Dalton Wainscott

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