UNC women’s soccer program remains undefeated after first weekend of play

The UNC women’s soccer team, who lost in last year’s National Championship matchup with UCLA, has a win and a tie under its belt in 2023.

The University of North Carolina women’s soccer program remains in a good spot after its opening weekend of 2023 play.

On Thursday, Aug. 17, the second-ranked Heels traveled up to Happy Valley for their opener with Penn State. UNC drew 0-0 with the 10th-ranked Nittany Lions, but held a 19-5 shot advantage. Being able to get this many shots off against a top-ranked opponent bodes well for the future.

Carolina played well in Pennsylvania, but fared better in its return to Dorrance Field on Sunday – a 3-1 victory over Cal-Berkeley. 2022 leading goal scorer Avery Patterson started the scoring off a corner kick three minutes in, then UNC took the lead for good when freshman Melina Rebimbas scored with five minutes remaining in the first half.

Olivia Thomas, another freshman, extended Carolina’s lead to 3-1 with a goal less than two minutes into the second half. Defense locked down the rest of the game, holding California scoreless.

UNC will stay at home through Labor Day Weekend, with contests against Wisconsin (Thursday at 4 p.m.), USC (Sunday at 1 p.m.), Gardner-Webb (8/31 at 7 p.m.) and Arkansas (9/3 at 2 p.m.). The Carolina-Arkansas game will pit two NCAA tournament teams against each other – UNC lost to UCLA in the national championship, while Arkansas lost to Florida State in the third round.

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