No. 1 North Carolina tops No. 7 Duke in NCAA women’s soccer rivalry match
DURHAM, N.C. – No. 1 North Carolina capitalized on two first half goals and won at No. 7 Duke 2-0 on Sunday afternoon in ACC women’s soccer action.
After a Duke own-goal, Izzy Brown scored to give the Tar Heels a 2-0 lead, an advantage that would not be compromised.
Duke got an early look in the third minute after a cross in the middle of the box, but Claudia Dickey made the point-blank stop to keep the contest scoreless.
It’s always a great day to beat your rival ?
Highlights from today’s 2-0 win in Durham ⬇️
?⚽️ | #CarolinaSoccer pic.twitter.com/HdyACb28NH
— UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) September 27, 2020
The Blue Devils continued to apply pressure early, but 2019 ACC Freshman of the Year Maycee Bell displayed her defensive prowess and anchored the Tar Heels’ back line early.
Talia Dellaperuta made a nifty move on outside of the box and fired a shot at the 25th minute, but the Blue Devil keeper made her first save of the afternoon. Rachel Jones followed up the shot with a header on goal, but Duke recorded its fourth save of the afternoon.
Following North Carolina’s barrage of shots, Duke had a chance at the 35th minute but it was blocked by UNC’s defensive unit.
Brianna Pinto had a good look off of a free kick later in the first half, but the attempt was tapped over the goal by the Duke goalkeeper.
The Tar Heels took the lead in the 38th minute after a corner kick, when a scrambled ensued and the Blue Devils scored an own-goal.
Aleigh Gambone recorded her first assist of the season after splitting two defenders and firing a cross into the middle of the box, where Brown headed in her first career goal.
Brown had a chance to put the Tar Heels up 3-0 at the 74th minute but had her header attempt saved after a cross from Rachel Jones.
The Tar Heels fended off six second half shots from the Blue Devils and captured their third-straight win. [Box Score]
