Two of the most storied programs in women's soccer did not disappoint in their 18th meeting. This time, like the two previous occasions North Carolina and Notre Dame met, UNC came away the victors with a thriller 1-0 win.
The game's lone goal came with 7:58 remaining in the match when freshman Lucy Bronze went streaking with the ball down the right side of the box. With her left foot, Bronze sent the ball to Casey Nogueira who provided her left foot and the margin of victory.
The goal was Nogueira's seventh in eight postseason games and fourth in the last two games. She had racked up eight shots on the evening at the time of her goal.
UNC and Notre Dame found an even first half with the Irish finding more open-field opportunities and the Tar Heels winning balls in the air. The second half was much the same. After a 12-4 shot advantage, UNC finished with a 26-8 edge in the category. The Tar Heels forced the Irish to make eight saves on the night.
For Nogueira, the goal was her fourth against the Irish in their last three meetings.
Notre Dame finishes the season at 21-4-1 while the Tar Heels improve to 22-3-1 and will face undefeated Stanford on Sunday at noon (central time) to determine the national championship.
