With the first round of the ACC Championship days away, the No. 3 Tar Heels (15-2, 4-2 ACC) took care of business with a 5-1 victory over No. 19 Old Dominion (9-9, 2-3 Big East) on senior day at Francis E. Henry Stadium.
Despite falling behind early, UNC battled back behind first-half goals by sophomores Gab Major and Sam Night. And on a day celebrating the senior class, it was only fitting for a goal from senior Emily Wold to ice the contest.
For the team’s four graduating players — Rachel Black, Casey Di Nardo, Nina Notman and Wold — there were far more important things than the result.
“I’m just so impressed by this senior class and the leadership they’ve provided our team,” Coach Karen Shelton said.
The graduating class has been key to the success of the program the past four years. UNC has reached the Final Four in each season, winning 75 games over that stretch — including the 2012 ACC Championship and a share of the 2014 regular-season title.
Wold said the chemistry of the team starts with the senior class.
Black said assimilating younger players into the team culture — regardless of their class — has contributed to the Tar Heels’ success.
“It could be anyone who takes a winning shot,” Black said. “Whether it be a freshman or anyone on the team.”