Boston College fouled and North Carolina retaliated. The Eagles scored and the Tar Heels countered the attack. Play was even and goals were avenged —until the end.
The UNC defense collapsed and allowed a goal for which offense couldn’t compensate. The game ended 3-2, giving the defending national champions their first casualty of the season, much to the displeasure of head coach Anson Dorrance.
“There is no way we can afford to give up three goals and beat anyone,” Dorrance said. “I’m really disappointed in that.”
A green defensive line and three goals scored on UNC in the second half crushed the No. 1 Tar Heel’s chance at an undefeated season.
The young UNC defense struggled against No. 4 Boston College attacks. Several loose balls rolled through the 18-yard box, an uncharacteristic element of UNC’s normally stout defense.
Midfielder Crystal Dunn scored both of UNC’s goals of the night. Her goal in the 59th minute broke the 0-0 deadlock that lasted a minute before the Eagles tied the game again.
Dunn tacked on a second goal in the 64th minute to put the Tar Heels up 2-1. But Boston College would score two goals in a six-minute span to seal the win against the previously undefeated Tar Heels.
Boston College’s Victoria Dimartino scored the game-winning goal in the 76th minute for her ninth goal of the season and UNC’s first loss since Oct. 22, 2009.
Dunn acknowledges that the defense faltered and pointed out that age and communication might be UNC’s Achilles’ heel.
