By R.L. Bynum
No. 2-ranked North Carolina couldn’t create enough quality chances, but the Tar Heels’ defense and goalkeeping stood tall in an opening-game 0–0 draw against No. 10 Penn State at State College, Pa., on a soggy field.
While the Tar Heels held a 19–5 shot advantage, they only got two shots on goal compared to three for Penn State.
UNC goalkeeper Emmie Allen made some outstanding saves, tallying three for the game, to keep the Tar Heels in it, and speedy freshman defender Savy King, who played all 90 minutes, spoiled at least two good Penn State transition chances.
“Savy King had one of the best first-game performances by a freshman in the history of the program,” UNC coach Anson Dorrance said.
King shared UNC Player of the Match honors with Sam Meza and Emily Moxley.
“Sam Meza is returning to her top form, which will continue to establish her as one of the top midfielders in the game,” Dorrance said. “Emily Moxley’s heat map paints the field. She is one of the hardest-working players out there, and her three-year versatility playing for us has been critical for our consistent success.
The teams played through driving rain for parts of each half and dealt with a 48-minute lightning delay in the 81st minute.
UNC dominated for the better part of the first half, particularly early, but couldn’t take advantage of a 10–2 shot lead after a scoreless first half but only got one shot on goal.
Talia Dellaperuta (top photo) launched a long strike at the bottom right corner of the net but UNC’s best early chance was stopped by Penn State goalkeeper Katherine Asman.
Penn State got a few good chances late in the half when the rain got heavier, but Allen made some timely plays, including two saves.
Allen tipped Penn State forward Kaitlyn MacBean’s shot off the crossbar in the 64th minute.
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After the game resumed following the delay, the Nittany Lions had the better of the play and created more chances. UNC defender Maycee Bell made a terrific slide to stop another Nittany Lions threat.
Carolina hasn’t scored in its only two matches at Penn State, losing 1–0 in the only other road meeting on Sept. 7, 2017.
NOTES — Carolina plays its home opener at 1 p.m. Sunday against Cal (ESPN3). The Bears went 10–5–6 last season, losing to Santa Clara 1–0 in 2 OTs in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Cal lost 4–1 in its opener Thursday night at Tennessee, getting outshot 13–6. … It was UNC’s first road opener since 2013. … The draw extended Carolina’s undefeated streak in openers to nine, with the Tar Heels 37–5–3 in openers. … The Tar Heels lead the series with Penn State 7–2–1. … Ally Sentnor had a team-high five shots and freshman Melina Rebimbas had four. … UNC’s last scoreless draw came against Duke on Nov. 3 in Cary in an ACC tournament semfinal last season. The Tar Heels advanced on penalty kicks, which aren’t used in regular-season games.
No. 2 UNC 0, No. 10 Penn State 0
| Date | Month/day | Time/ score | Opponent (current rankings) | Record/ TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August | ||||
| 5 | Wednesday | W, 1–0 | vs. South Carolina | Exhib. |
| 13 | Thursday | W, 4–0 | vs. Fairfield | 1–0 |
| 16 | Sunday | W, 8–0 | vs. Quinnipiac | 2–0 |
| 20 | Thursday | W, 2–0 | at Arkansas | 3–0 |
| 23 | Sunday | L, 3–2 | vs. No. 5 Michigan State | 3–1 |
| 28 | Friday | W, 3–0 | at Shelbourne FC | Friendly |
| September | ||||
| 3 | Thursday | W, 2–1 | at Arizona | 4–1 |
| 6 | Sunday | W, 1–0 | at Arizona State | 5–1 |
| 10 | Thursday | W, 3–0 | vs. California | 6–1, 1–0 ACC |
| 13 | Sunday | 1 p.m. | vs. NJIT | |
| 17 | Thursday | 8 p.m. | vs. No. 3 Duke | ACCN |
| 20 | Sunday | 1 p.m. | vs. Alcorn State | |
| 25 | Friday | 7 p.m. | at No. 10 Virginia | |
| October | ||||
| 2 | Friday | 6 p.m. | vs. Notre Dame | ACCN |
| 9 | Friday | 7 p.m. | at No. 18 Florida State | ESPNU |
| 15 | Thursday | 8 p.m. | at No. 24 Clemson | ACCN |
| 18 | Sunday | 3:30 | at No. 3 Wake Forest | ACCN |
| 23 | Friday | 6 p.m. | vs. No. 1 Stanford | ACCN |
| 29 | Thursday | 7 p.m. | vs. SMU | |
| November | ||||
| 5 | Thursday | 7 p.m. | at Louisville | |
| 8, 12, 15 | Sunday, Thur., Sun. | ACC tournament | Semifinals, final in Cary | |
| NCAA tournament | (first four rounds at campus sites) | |||
| 20-22 | Fri.-Sun | First round | ||
| 26 | Thursday | Second round | ||
| 29 | Sunday | Third round | ||
| December | ||||
| 4, 5 | Fri., Sat. | Quarterfinals | ||
| 10, 13 | Thur., Sun. | Women’s College Cup Cary |
Photo courtesy of UNC Athletics Communications
