A pair of goals from freshman Evelyn Shores were more than enough to carry the UNC women’s soccer team past No. 24 USC at Dorrance Field on Sunday afternoon. The match was the first of a planned doubleheader with the men’s program, but the nightcap had to be called off midway through the first half due to rain. The men’s team was leading American 1-0 when the match was called.

The women’s team shook off the offensive doldrums which plagued it in a 0-0 draw with Wisconsin earlier in the week, opening the scoring in the 25th minute on a rocket from striker Ally Sentnor. Sentnor’s shot flew over the outstretched arm of the Trojan goalkeeper, caromed off the crossbar and down over the goal line. It was the first goal of the season for the redshirt sophomore.

Shores stole the show in the second half, scoring her two goals in the space of just 2:26. They were the first goals in the college career of the true freshman from Atlanta. A penalty kick from Tori Dellaperuta in the 88th minute capped off the dominant victory.

Carolina’s four goals on Sunday exceeded the amount the team had scored in the first three matches combined (3), and it’s the first time the Tar Heels have scored four goals in a match against a ranked opponent since August of 2021. The Tar Heels are now 2-0-2 on the young season and will continue their homestand on Thursday against Gardner-Webb.

On the men’s side, the Tar Heels got off to a fast start thanks for a Quenzi Huerman goal in the 17th minute, but inclement weather after 39 minutes forced the match to be stopped. Despite UNC leading 1-0, the match will not be counted against either team’s record, so the Tar Heels are still 0-0-1. Their next match will come on the road at East Tennessee State on Friday at 7 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Ainsley E. Fauth


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