After two straight draws against Clemson and Virginia, the North Carolina women's soccer team knew it would face another difficult opponent in an unranked but dangerous Miami team.
And the No. 15 Tar Heels knew that in order to come out with a win, they would need to work as one.
On Thursday night, UNC did just that — earning a 3-1 win over the Hurricanes at Fetzer Field.
“We’re starting to see some personalities emerge,” Coach Anson Dorrance said.
In the first half, UNC (7-2-3, ACC 2-1-2) dominated possession but was unable to match that domination on the score sheet, only recording five shots in the first half.
Despite being out-possessed, the Hurricanes (8-5, ACC 3-2 ) struck first in the 12th minute with a goal just outside of keeper Lindsey Harris’ outstretched grasp.
Following the goal, the domination of possession continued for UNC. Finally, in the 40th minute, Megan Buckingham slotted the ball perfectly to Bridgette Andrzejewski, who placed it inside the far post right past the Miami keeper.
“Once we get that first goal, no matter whose it is, it always follows with a really good next goal," Andrzejewski said. "Just because we have such a good connection as a team.”
At the start of the second half, Miami had its foot on the gas, trying to avenge the late first-half Tar Heel goal. But in the 61st minute, Cameron Castleberry lofted a beautiful ball to Andrzejewski, who headed the ball into the back of the net for her third multi-goal game of the season.