UNC women's soccer tops Alabama, 1-0, in NCAA second round

LUBBOCK, Texas – An early goal from Ally Sentnor solidified third-seeded North Carolina's 1-0 win over sixth-seed Alabama in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament on Friday evening in Lubbock, Texas. 

Following the win, the Tar Heels improve to 12-1-8 (5-0-5 ACC) on the year and advance to the Round of 16 on Sunday. Alabama concludes its season at 12-5-5 (5-4-1 SEC).

How It Happened

The Tar Heels came out sharp, immediately applying pressure on the Crimson Tide's defense by forcing three saves in the opening 18 minutes.

The aggressive pace paid off in the 19th minute. Emerson Elgin fed Ally Sentnor down the left side who made her way into the 18-yard box. With only one defender around, Sentnor found space and fired a right-footed shot to the lower corner of the far post.

UNC, which carried its one-goal lead into the break, also held a 9-2 edge in shots and 6-0 advantage in shots on target.

The Tar Heels' lockdown defense was on full display, only allowing two shots per half and none on target. It was the first time all season the Crimson Tide were not able to attempt on shot on goal.

Carolina continued to create scoring chances throughout the second half, but was unable to capitalize on any opportunity as the early goal stood as the final score.

Inside the Box Score

Sentnor, who has a team-high 23 points, is now tied for the team lead with nine goals. She has scored in four straight matches.

A redshirt sophomore, Sentnor now increases her NCAA Tournament goal tally to seven.

UNC's defense held UA without a shot on goal. It was the second time this season the Tar Heels have kept an opponent without a shot on target, also doing so against Miami.

The Tar Heels' defense has held 19 of their 21 opponents to 10 shots or fewer, and 10 to five or fewer.

Tori Dellaperuta had a game-high three shots, while she and Sentnor both had a pair of shots on frame.

Carolina ended the match with six corners to Alabama's two.

Emmie Allen, Maycee Bell and Savy King logged a full 90 minutes.

NCAA Tournament Tidbits

North Carolina has an all-time record of 146-17-5 in the NCAA Tournament.

The Tar Heels are 28-1 in the NCAA Second Round, out-scoring its first-round opponents 110-12.

UNC extends its streak as the only team to appear in all 42 NCAA Tournaments.

Carolina has won 21 of 41 NCAA titles (plus the 1981 AIAW title for 22 national championships).

The Tar Heels have appeared in 31 College Cups, including four of the last five.

Carolina has advanced to the national title game 27 times (including three of the last five) and has finished as the runner-up six times overall.

UNC has been the No. 3 seed twice before, winning the first-ever NCAA women's soccer title in 1982 and advancing to the second round in 2015.

Up Next
The Tar Heels remain in Lubbock, Texas, for the third round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. ET (1 p.m. CT). Third-seed Carolina will take on the winner of second-seed Texas Tech vs. seventh-seed Princeton at John Walker Soccer Complex.

The complete NCAA Tournament bracket can be found here.

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