With North Carolina clinging to a one-goal lead, UNC senior Anne Morrell was shoved to the ground in the box by a Virginia defender. Despite protests from the fans, the referee didn't blow his whistle.
Yet, No. 2 North Carolina toughed it out and emerged with a 2-1 victory against No. 4 UVa. at Fetzer Field on Sunday.
The Tar Heels win was no easy accomplishment because UVa. challenged UNC both offensively and defensively the entire game.
"They have talent all over the field, they are well organized, and they are having an absolutely wonderful year," said UNC coach Anson Dorrance. "I'll be completely honest - I am absolutely ecstatic to be standing here after the game with a win against a really fine Virginia side."
The Cavaliers (11-2-1, 3-2-1 in the ACC) played tough defensively and allowed just eight shots.
The Tar Heels (14-0-1, 7-0-0) didn't score until the 34th minute, when junior Kacey White slipped a pass behind a UVa. defender to Sara Randolph, who one-touched the ball into an empty net.
"I made that long run, and Kacey played an absolutely perfect ball through," Randolph said. "And it was kind of slo-mo, thinking, 'If I don't put this in, I'm going to shoot myself.' It was a gimme, one of those that you have to finish for your team."
Randolph's goal lifted the Tar Heels to a 1-0 halftime advantage. But North Carolina couldn't capitalize on its numerous scoring chances again until the second half.
In the 50th minute, UVa. defenders tied up Morrell 30 yards from the goal. She tapped the ball to her right, where Lori Chalupny came streaking through, splitting the defense and setting up a one-on-one with Cavalier goalkeeper Christina de Vries.
