Oct. 4, 2009
Box Score
BLACKSBURG, VA. -
Virginia Tech rode a 10-save performance by Kristin Carden to a 1-0 victory over No. 1-ranked North Carolina in women's soccer action Sunday evening. Virginia Tech moves into sole possession of first place in the ACC with the victory with a 4-0 record while UNC loses this season for the first time, falling to 10-1-1 overall and 3-1 in the ACC.
Carolina fell to third place in the ACC, now trailing both Virginia Tech and Florida State, who are both undefeated.
It marked the second time this season the Tar Heels have been shutout in a game after being shutout only one time in 2008. The Tar Heels also played to a scoreless draw with Auburn on September 20.
The Hokies got the only goal they needed in the 54th minute after UNC goalkeeper Ashlyn Harris was involved in a collision outside of the box, Marika Gray scored her fifth goal of the season into an empty goal after the collision with Harris.
The Tar Heels outshot the Hokies 17-8 and put 10 of their 17 shots on frame, but Carden turned all of them away. Only two of Virginia Tech eight shots were on goal. UNC had an edge in corner kicks as well by a 6-2 margin.
The loss was the first for the Tar Heels against an ACC team since September 30, 2007 when Carolina was beaten 1-0 at Miami. Since then, the Tar Heels had played to a pair of ties against ACC opponents, drawing with Virginia 1-1 in the ACC Tournament semifinals on November 9, 2007 and playing to a 2-2 with Florida State on October 30, 2008.
The loss is only the 34th for Carolina in the 31-year history of the program as the Heels now stand 683-34-22 all-time. UNC's record in regular season play fell to 135-8-4.
The Tar Heels will now have five days to prepare for their next game which will be this Friday at 7 p.m. against NC State at Fetzer Field.
