The national title defense for the UNC women’s soccer program will last at least a little longer.
Kate Faasse scored a pair of goals to help the Tar Heels upset No. 3 seed Tennessee in Knoxville Friday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The 3-1 win avenges a 2-0 UNC defeat at the hands of the Lady Vols in the regular-season opener back in August.
Tennessee looked ready to run the season’s first meeting back in the first half, opening the scoring in the 27th minute and taking a 1-0 lead. But Faasse dampened the mood in Knoxville almost immediately, equalizing in the 30th minute to put UNC back on level terms. In the 36th minute, sophomore Caitlin Mara netted just the fourth goal of her college career to put the Tar Heels in front. Carolina had flipped the match on its head in less than 10 minutes.
The score stayed 2-1 until midway through the second half, when Faasse struck again after a Tennessee misplay in front of its own goal.
The Carolina defense held fast after that, with goalkeeper Hannah Johann making five saves in the final nine minutes of action. She finished the night with seven saves in total to set a new career high.
Friday’s win is UNC’s first against a ranked opponent this season. It also extends the team’s NCAA Tournament winning streak to seven and ensures at least one postseason win for the fourth straight season.
UNC will now face No. 6 seed Texas Tech in the tournament’s second round Thursday. The Red Raiders defeated UTSA in the opening round Friday. The Tar Heels defeated Texas Tech in the teams’ most recent meeting, winning in Lubbock in the 2023 NCAA Tournament’s Round of 16.
For a full look at the 2025 NCAA Tournament bracket, click here.
Featured image via UNC Women’s Soccer on Twitter
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