The No. 1-seeded North Carolina women’s soccer team (11-1, 4-0 ACC) took down Notre Dame (4-1-6, 2-1-1 ACC), 4-1, on Friday evening at Dorrance Field.

Coming off a big win against No. 16 Virginia and boasting a 7-game win streak, the Tar Heels looked to dominate early on, proving their ability to consistently put away games against ranked teams. With a strong defensive showing from UNC’s backline, the Tar Heels stunned the Fighting Irish from start to finish for a statement home win.

North Carolina opened the game with intense defensive pressure, dominating possession 61 percent to 39 percent, leaving minimal room for error for the Fighting Irish. After just 13 minutes of play, the Tar Heels found their first goal from a well-composed finish from sophomore forward Bella Devey with an assist from senior midfielder Lilliah Blum.

Less than five minutes later, North Carolina earned a penalty kick, put away by Devey for her fourth brace of the season, putting the Tar Heels up 2-0 early on.

Despite UNC’s early offensive success, Notre Dame quickly responded on a set piece with a goal to cut UNC’s lead in half, 2-1. But North Carolina upped the intensity on both ends of the field, leading to a breakaway attack from first-year defender Cali O’Neill and first-year attacker Amari Manning, who found Blum for the finish to put UNC up 3-1.

The Tar Heels ended the half strong, maintaining possession and holding Notre Dame scoreless for the last 24 minutes of the half.

North Carolina started the second half with an even stronger offensive presence, with multiple breakaway chances in the first ten minutes. Junior midfielder Ashley Pennie and O’Neill were anchors on both sides of the ball for the Tar Heels, putting Notre Dame under constant pressure while creating opportunities.

After many near chances, the Tar Heels found the net again with a clinical assist crossed by Blum to graduate midfielder Summer Denigan crashing in for a one-touch finish, extending UNC’s lead to 4-1. The Tar Heels kept up their pressure, holding the Fighting Irish scoreless in the second half.

The Tar Heels will face off against Florida State next Friday at 6 p.m. in Tallahassee, Florida.

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