The five plays that decided UNC women's soccer's 1-0 loss in National Championship

CARY – There was little separating No. 1 seeds North Carolina and Florida State in the Tar Heels’ 1-0 loss to the Seminoles in the College Cup championship match on Sunday. 

Here’s a recap of five plays that mattered in the FSU’s defeat of UNC: 

No. 1 – Dallas Dorosy’s near-goal in the first half

Time: 23rd minute

Score: 0-0

In the first half, FSU carved out six shots, with the best chance falling to senior midfielder Dorosy in the 23rd minute. With plenty of room to work with, Dorosy, who scored twice against UNC in the ACC Championship game, let loose on a powerful shot from the top of the 18-yard box that went wide right. The opportunity came about thanks to FSU midfielder Yujie Zhao, who threaded a pass past the back line. After watching the ball travel out of play, UNC goalkeeper Samantha Leshnak voiced her displeasure with her defense over how Dorosy became that wide open. 

While the Tar Heels were unscathed on this occasion, it was a sign of things to come from Dorosy. 

No. 2 – Rachael Dorwart nearly gives UNC the lead

Time: 36th minute

Score: 0-0

On Friday, Dorwart played a big role in UNC’s 1-0 victory against Georgetown, with the first-year midfielder providing the critical assist on Julia Ashley’s match-winning goal in overtime. 

Against the Seminoles, Dorwart nearly scored the biggest goal of her young Tar Heel career. After fellow first-year Rachel Jones won a UNC corner kick, Dorwart tracked down center back Lotte Wubben-Moy’s service and her header from just a few yards out went wide left.

It was a great chance, according to Dorwart’s head coach. 

“She doesn’t extend her neck, she just redirects it, and it basically goes just wide of the goal,” Anson Dorrance said. “If she just does that movement,” Dorrance continued while flicking his head, “... doesn’t take much because she won the header, all of a sudden we’re in the driver’s seat.”

No. 3 – Dorosy provides the difference-making goal for FSU 

Time: 60th minute

Score: 1-0, FSU

In her final two games against UNC this season, Dorosy scored three goals, none bigger than the one that came Sunday. 

Traveling stride for stride with UNC’s Wubben-Moy, Dorosy was the beneficiary of an on-target service from Deyna Castellanos, who threaded her pass out on the right flank beyond two Tar Heels (left back Emily Fox and center back Brooke Bingham). 

Dorosy slid down to get her shot off and the ball rolled slowly into the net. There was nothing UNC’s Leshnak could do.

“In other words, we’re in a great position,” Dorrance said. “One player against two, I’ll take that any day. Somehow, that assist was magnificent because we didn’t close with our first defender, and all of a sudden they get that ball across. So we weren’t even vulnerable on the goal.”

No. 4- Taylor Otto nearly in on goal

Time: 85th minute

Score: 1-0, FSU

With just over five minutes left in the game, UNC saw one of its best chances to score after Bingham took control of the ball in the midfield. Making a charge, she sent in a through ball that rolled past every player on the field to place itself directly between redshirt sophomore midfielder Taylor Otto and goalkeeper Caroline Jeffers. Jeffers managed to clear the ball before Otto could attempt to control it, saving FSU what would have almost certainly been an equalizing goal at the end of the second half. 

It wasn’t the last opportunity UNC would have to get a shot off, but it represented the team’s best hope to even the score. Missing out on it cost the Tar Heels dearly, and there wouldn’t be another breakaway in the game.

No. 5 – A free kick is the last chance to score

Time: 89th minute

Score: 1-0, FSU

As the clock dwindled, Florida State midfielder Kaycie Tillman fouled Fox to allow UNC one last chance to organize its attack. The free kick was taken by Wubben-Moy on the left flank, with every Tar Heel moving into the FSU box, including Leshnak. The ball was cleared away immediately after the kick, representing the end of the Tar Heels’ chances to get back in the game.  

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