CARY, N.C. (theACC.com) – Thanks to a goal from Alessia Russo in the second overtime, top-seeded North Carolina defeated third-seeded Virginia, 2-1, to claim the 2019 Atlantic Coast Conference women’s soccer championship.
With the win, the Tar Heels earned their 22nd ACC Tournament Title. It marked the 16th time that UNC has won the ACC regular-season and tournament title in the same season.
“I love how much this team loves each other,” said head coach Anson Dorrance. “What I’m sensing is an incredible energy. They’re on their own mission and I’m along for the ride. Some of the stuff they’re doing is fantastic.
“What was extraordinary, is the number of chances we created against a great team. We had 16 shots to Virginia’s four and 10 corner kicks to their one against a team that’s undefeated and ranked number one. That isn’t ordinary, that is absolutely phenomenal.”
North Carolina started fast in the contest with a goal just five minutes into the match, as ACC Freshman of the Year Maycee Bell scored on a header from All-ACC teammate Lotte Wubben-Moy’s corner kick to give the Tar Heels a 1-0 lead.
Diana Ordonez, an All-ACC performer and All-Freshman Team selection, scored in the equalizer in the 67th minute to push the match into overtime. She put away a deflection off a set piece for her 14th goal of the year, knotting the tally at 1-1.
"First of all, congrats to North Carolina. They are an excellent, hard-working team and a worthy champion," said Virginia head coach Steve Swanson. "I thought our team battled all day, and all weekend for that matter, and we are really proud of the effort they put in today. There's not much separating these two teams and I think the winners were the fans who got to see a very hard and well-played game. We are looking forward to the rest of the postseason and I am confident we will take this experience and use it to our advantage."
Both teams created an opportunity in the first overtime, but neither was able to convert. Virginia’s Rebecca Jarrett hit the post in the 93rd minute and UNC’s Rachel Jones had her shot blocked in the 97th minute.
The Tar Heels had a shot from Bridgette Andrzejewski sail high in the 99th minute.
Russo scored the golden goal early in the second overtime after teammate Emily Fox played a ball over the top and she finished it in the lower left corner to lift North Carolina to the 2-1 victory. She was also named the tournament MVP after recording a brace in the semifinals against NC State and the game-winner in the championship.
ACC teams will now await the NCAA Selection Show, which will be streamed live on NCAA.com Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. Last year, the conference had an NCAA record 10 teams earn a bid to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championships.
2019 ACC Women’s Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team
Alessia Russo, Jr., F, North Carolina - MVP
Deyna Castellanos, Sr., F, Florida State
Tziarra King, Sr., M, NC State
Maycee Bell, Fr., D, North Carolina
Claudia Dickey, So., GK, North Carolina
Emily Fox, Jr., D, North Carolina
Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jr., D, North Carolina
Rebecca Jarrett, So., F, Virginia
Zoe Morse, Sr., M, Virginia
Diana Ordonez, Fr., F, Virginia
Alexa Spaanstra, So., F, Virginia