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There was never any doubt.
UNC won a corner kick seven minutes into extra time with the score tied, 1-1. The next goal would end the match.
First-year defender Trinity Armstrong told junior captain Tessa Dellarose to take the corner. Dellarose sent in a looping, in-swinging ball right in front of goal — inch-perfect service. Kate Faasse dashed in front of her defender into the six-yard box. The junior forward leaped into the air, headed the ball into the back of the net and raised both of her arms.
Who else?
Golden goal on home turf…what a moment 🤩#NCAASoccer x 🎥 ESPN+ / @uncwomenssoccer pic.twitter.com/7l2WQpXLOZ
“She’s right where she needs to be all the time,” Dellarose said.
Faasse has scored a team-high 19 goals this season, including seven match-winners. She is tied for top scorer in both the ACC and the country. Her 41 points is the most in a single season at UNC since Casey Nogueira recorded 58 in 2008.
But Faasse’s goal Friday night was the biggest of her career. It gave No. 2-seeded North Carolina a 2-1 victory over No. 4-seeded Penn State in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals and sent the Tar Heels to their 32nd College Cup — the most all-time.
“To the team, she means a lot,” interim head coach Damon Nahas said. “I know how much the team means to her. In moments like that, you need players to make plays.”
Faasse has made committed and determined decisions this season. First, the decision was to come back after 21 players from last year’s team either turned pro or transferred to another school.
“It’s not hard to show up every day,” Faasse said. “I love showing up every day for this team. It wasn’t a doubt in my mind to come back this year.”
Junior forward Kate Faasse (13) argues a call with a referee during UNC’s game against Penn State in the NCAA Quarterfinals at Dorrance Field on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. UNC won 2-1 in overtime.
She made the decision to be a leader for her teammates. She brings joy to the team, but also an intensity. Nahas said Faasse’s personality allows the Tar Heels to feel calm during times of stress.
Faasse has also decided to continue to believe in herself when she misses chances. In UNC’s second round NCAA tournament game against Santa Clara, with the Tar Heels searching for the breakthrough goal, she hit the crossbar from just a few yards out. It was a golden chance.
“Those chances are going to come,” Nahas said after the 1-0 win over Santa Clara. “She’s gonna miss more of those in her career. But do you have the strength and the conviction to be brave and be there and be willing to do it again? And gosh, she’s got that in spades.”
On Friday night in the 84th minute, once again with the match tied and North Carolina’s season on the line, Faasse missed a big chance. She positioned herself well — in between two Penn State defenders in the six-yard box. First-year midfielder Linda Ullmark floated in a cross, but Faasse’s free header sailed over the bar.
Then less than five minutes later, she rose up over her defender to meet a cross from junior forward Maddie Dahlien. The header went just wide of goal.
“I come over to the sideline,” Faasse said. “[Nahas] tells me, ‘Don’t give up. It’s coming.’”
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When the opportunity came in extra time, as she’s done all season, Faasse decided to take it. And she buried it.
After the match, Emerson Elgin held a big NCAA College Cup ticket. Faasse’s teammates called her over.
“Kate! Kate!”
Elgin handed Faasse the UNC sticker. She placed the sticker on the ticket, and then her teammates exploded in celebration.
“Being willing to be in that position to make a play,” Nahas said. “And being willing to be in a position to miss it, as much as it is to make it. She’s earned that all year long.
“It’s poetic, to send us to the Final Four like that.”
@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com
