UNC wins DI women's soccer title
🏈 Heisman Trophy finalists announced
🔁 Turnaround men's hoops teams
🏀 Irish join women's Power 10
For the first time since 2012, North Carolina has won the Division I women’s national championship. The Tar Heels defeated Wake Forest 1-0 after Olivia Thomas’ free kick goal in the 61st minute, her fourth goal of the tournament.
North Carolina’s defense stood out yet again with its fifth shutout in six playoff games. Today, goalie Clare Gagne made three saves.
With the win, North Carolina extends its NCAA-leading record to 22 titles. The Tar Heels also claim the the 1981 AIAW title.
2024 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!! 🏆
FOR THE 23RD TIME IN PROGRAM HISTORY, THE TAR HEELS HAVE WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!! pic.twitter.com/UXAXzRuqfH
SENSATIONAL SET PIECE STRIKE 💥#WCollegeCup x 🎥 ESPNU / @uncwomenssoccer pic.twitter.com/DLoj0NqqWW
After 45 minutes of play, the game remains scoreless but Wake Forest is pounding on the door with five shots to North Carolina’s one. The Deacs have also earned three corners while keeping a firm grip on the tempo of the game. Center backs Zara Chavosi and Laurel Ansbrow have set the tone, staying calm under pressure, building from the back and keeping a high line that’s already caught a few Tar Heels offsides.
45 down, 45 to go 😤#WCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/RVO6F85ZVk
Both sides have exchanged a handful of smart fouls with the lone booking going to Bella Gaetino who was handed a yellow card for stopping a Wake Forest breakaway with a body check. The pitch remains slick from this morning’s rain showers and it shows on the field. The ball is moving fast and mistouches have been common. There’s plenty of game left to play, and if the Tar Heels don’t start earning some serious possession, we may have a Wake Forest goal on our hands soon.
Fifteen minutes in and the first serious shot on goal comes from the Deacs. They’ve held most of the possession so far, moving the ball from left to right in the Tar Heel’s half. In the first corner of the match, Wake Forest’s Sierra Sythe took a shot from the six-yard box but Clare Gagne was there to stop it.
What a save, Claire 👏#WCollegeCup x 🎥 ESPNU / @uncwomenssoccer pic.twitter.com/VVfkLwolxD
The Deacs start off with the ball as the ref blows the opening whistle. The stands are packed with a whole lot of Carolina Blue but the cheers from the section of yellow and black scarves, cow bells in hand, pack a punch.
Warmups are underway here in Cary, NC where North Carolina and Wake Forest prepare to battle for the 2024 National championship. The Deamon Deacs are looking to earn their first-ever national trophy while the Tar Heels try to reassert their dominance and earn their program’s 23rd title.
Here are the starting 11 for tonight’s championship match:
North Carolina:
Championship ✨ Starting XI ✨ #GoHeels x @joevangogh pic.twitter.com/OSfL1LIp2F
Wake Forest:
Malaika slides into the midfield as our only change ⤵️
🔗: https://t.co/QpJDRLIPeI pic.twitter.com/qJgjQHALhv
Two teams. One trophy. Both won five NCAA tournament games to get here, but each has a unique story defining what a national title would mean to the program.
It’s been a historic year for Wake Forest, which will play in their first-ever national championship match at just their second-ever College Cup. The Deaconss have had a remarkable 16-3-4 season, earning their first-ever win over a No. 1 team and directly after beating a No. 2 team — they became the first team in NCAA history to beat the No. 1 and No. 2 teams back-to-back. These feats come after an unsuccessful 2023 season where the Deacs missed out on the NCAA tournament after finishing sixth in the ACC. The team is made up of veterans who have worked hard to get the program where it is today. In his 29th season at the helm, coach Tony da Luz shared after the semifinal win over Stanford (1-0) how this team is like none other.
‘They want to make history for the program’ 🥹
Head Coach Tony da Luz on @WakeWSoccer‘s win over Stanford to advance to the national championship.#WCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/nWBhYhdAyU
Then there’s North Carolina. The Tar Heels will be playing in their 28th national championship, returning after a 2022 overtime loss to UCLA. Despite holding the NCAA record across all DI sports for most national titles (22), the Tar Heels have not lifted a national trophy since 2012, and the team is hungrier than ever. The Tar Heels have overcome their fair share of obstacles this season, starting with the retirement of head coach and women’s soccer legend Anson Dorrance just days before the 2024 season opener. Interim head coach Damon Nahas, though, made sure the squad didn’t miss a beat despite a majority underclassmen team and players missing weeks of play due to the U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup. And what a job he’s done.
TAR HEELS TAKE THE LEAD EARLY 🐏#WCollegeCup x 🎥 ESPNU / @uncwomenssoccer pic.twitter.com/cfzyLOcqSo
The Tar Heels are riding into Monday’s final with a 21-5 record and offensive weapon Kate Faasse, who leads the nation with 20 goals after scoring a PK against Duke in the 3-0 semifinal win. Wake Forest is coming off a 1-0 semifinal win over Stanford courtesy of an Emily Morris floater in the 72nd minute and a massive save from keeper Valentina Amaral to keep the ball inches away from crossing the goal line and record her 7th shoutout of the year.
As if these two ACC powerhouses weren’t familiar enough, two of Wake’s top players, Emily Murphy and Emily Colton, are recent North Carolina transfers. Whether it’s North Carolina re-claiming national dominance or Wake Forest writing itself into history, Monday night’s final will be a must-watch affair.
Wake Forest and North Carolina will meet for the second time this year and 27th time since 1999. The Tar Heels claimed a 1-0 win in their ACC home opener earlier this season which featured a Kate Faasse goal in the 27th minute. In that match, the Deacs out-possessed and outshot (9-3) the hosting Tar Heels, holding them to fewer than four shots for the first time in any game since 2015.
Here are highlights from that game:
✅ 1-0 in ACC play
✅ Fifth shutout of the year
✅ Undefeated at home pic.twitter.com/gxnijRVUNV
Historically, North Carolina has dominated Wake Forest, holding a 9-0-1 record in the past 10 meetings and outscoring the Deacons 22-3. The Deacs last claimed victory over UNC in 2012 in regular ACC play when they won 2-1 in Tar Heel territory.
It’s National Championship Day and for the first time since 1992, both teams in the finals are from the same state, North Carolina. Wake Forest will play in the program’s first-ever national title match, while the Tar Heels make their 28th appearance. On Monday night, North Carolina and Wake Forest will compete at WakeMed Soccer Park. One will be crowned the national champion.
Here’s how to catch all the action:
🗓️ Date: Monday, Dec. 9
⏰ Time: 7 p.m. ET
📺 TV: ESPNU | WatchESPN
📍 Location: WakeMed Soccer Park | Cary, North Carolina
📊 Follow: Live scores and stats
We will also be live blogging the game here on NCAA.com.
