The No. 10 Virginia women’s soccer team advanced to the semifinals of the ACC tournament with a 1-0 victory against rival No. 8 North Carolina in Chapel Hill Sunday.
In the 11th minute, fifth-seeded Virginia (13-4-1, 6-3-1 ACC) scored the game’s lone goal. Senior forward Caroline Miller took a through ball from sophomore mid-fielder Morgan Brian and fired home her 14th goal of the season to give the Cavaliers the early advantage. The Cavaliers’ stifling defense held the Tar Heels (10-4-2, 6-3-1 ACC) to just one shot in the opening half to protect the lead.
In the second half, the Tar Heels mustered just three more shots, but none of them seriously troubled Cavalier junior goalkeeper Danielle DeLisle. Virginia took five shots in the period but could not get past North Carolina redshirt senior goalkeeper Adelaide Gay to add to its advantage.
The Tar Heels were held without a shot on goal for the first time this season and were shutout for the third time. The Cavaliers earned just their second win all-time against North Carolina and their first in an ACC Tournament game.
Virginia will face top-seeded Florida State (15-2-0, 8-2-0 ACC) Friday in Cary, North Carolina after the Seminoles handled eighth-seeded Boston College 4-0 in Tallahassee Sunday. Florida State defeated Virginia 1-0 in overtime in the teams’ only regular season matchup Oct. 14.