Despite outshooting No. 5 Michigan State 21-7, UNC fell to the Spartans 3-2 Sunday at Dorrance Field. It’s Carolina’s first loss of the 2026 season.

The Spartans took the lead midway through the first half on a goal by Kennedy Bell, but UNC’s Summer Denigan answered less than three minutes later to tie the score at 1-1. It was the third straight match with a goal for the Georgia transfer, who already has four goals on the young season.

The score stayed at 1-1 until early in the second half, when Bell struck again for Michigan State to give the Spartans the lead back. That lead was doubled 10 minutes later when Bella Gaetino was sent off for a foul denying a Michigan State goal-scoring opportunity, dropping the Tar Heels down to 10 players. On the ensuing free kick from just outside the penalty area, the Spartans’ Bella Najera curled it beautifully around the UNC wall and into the back of the net.

Down 3-1, UNC got itself back into the match after drawing a foul in the penalty area and earning a penalty kick. Sealey Strawn stepped to the spot and scored in the 73rd minute, bringing the deficit back down to 3-2. That would be the last Carolina shot on target, though, as the Tar Heels were not able to find an equalizer in the final minutes. Of UNC’s 21 total shots, only five were on the Spartan goal.

Carolina drops to 3-1 on the season with Sunday’s loss. Up next, the Tar Heels will travel across the pond to Dublin to face Irish professional side Shelbourne FC in an exhibition at Tolka Park Friday at 2 p.m. Eastern time (7 p.m. Ireland time). The event is being staged in conjunction with the UNC football team’s game in Ireland against TCU the next day.

 

Featured image via Chapel Hill Media Group/Matt Clements

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