The determined Pittsburgh Panthers seemed destined to complete an “upset draw” against the No. 5 Tar Heels Thursday night. Several Carolina chances came just inches away from breaking a scoreless deadlock, and were denied either by the post or Pitt’s sprawling goalkeeper, Katherine Robertson.

After 80 minutes, reigning ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Week Avery Patterson had finally had enough. Patterson made her case for weekly offensive honors when she headed a corner kick from teammate Maggie Pierce just over Robertson’s gloves, which bounced into the net off the crossbar.

A Panthers defender quickly knocked the ball away, and officials let play continue, leading to several seconds of nerve-wracking uncertainty. Finally, after consultation with the Video Assistant Referee, the goal was given, and Carolina had the lead it had worked so hard to secure. The Tar Heels would see out the final nine minutes to claim a tough road win.

Patterson’s goal was her fourth of the season, tying her for second on the team with Rachel Dorwart and Emily Murphy. Emily Colton leads the Tar Heels with five.

Patterson played 84 of the 90 minutes of game time Thursday night, taking three shots, two of which were on goal.

“Avery’s best quality is her vertical jump,” head coach Anson Dorrance said after the match. You can see it when she dominates balls played into our defense. But what I loved about her vert today was skying above a well-organized defense and beating an outstanding goalkeeper on one of our corner kicks. Avery was the margin of victory.”

Colton led the Tar Heels with four shots (two on goal), and Maycee Bell sent two shots on goal as well. As a team, Carolina outshot Pittsburgh 24-3, and 15-1 in the second half. They also held an 11-0 advantage in corner kicks. UNC goalkeeper Claudia Dickey, herself a former ACC Defensive Player of the Week, secured her third straight clean sheet.

The No. 5 Tar Heels are now 9-1-2 on the season and 2-1-2 in conference play. Carolina will next be back in action Sunday afternoon when they visit Boston College.

 

Featured image via Carolina Athletics

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