A late push from Charly Bruder gave North Carolina a chance, but the Tar Heels ran out of time and fell 2-1 to Liberty on Sunday afternoon in Lynchburg, Va.
No. 9 UNC (7-5, 3-1 ACC) spent most of the game chasing the action, especially in the first half and into the third quarter, before finally finding some rhythm late.
By that point, though, the No. 17 Flames had already built a 2-0 lead, both of their goals coming in the second quarter.
Josefina Tomasi started it with a transition finish, then Liz Bustillo added the second to put the home team in control.
North Carolina didn’t get much going offensively until the fourth quarter, when six of its eight shots on the day came. The Tar Heels also controlled possession for much of the second half, but Liberty kept them from cashing in until Bruder delivered her signature power shot off a penalty corner to cut the margin to one.
That goal capped a strong weekend for the senior captain, who scored four times across Carolina’s two games.
UNC emptied the net in the final 10 minutes in search of the equalizer, but Liberty’s defense held firm and the Flames closed it out. The result marked the first time Carolina had lost in Lynchburg after winning its first four games there.
The Tar Heels now head back to Karen Shelton Stadium for a pair of ACC games next weekend against Boston College and Syracuse. Friday’s matchup with the Eagles is set for 6 p.m. ET and will be part of the program’s alumni celebration.
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Bill Belichick pointed to the teams toughness and preparation after the comeback, and the Tar Heels backed that up by digging out of a 10-point hole and tightening up defensively in the second half. Shamar Easters 75-yard touchdown provided the burst that changed the feel of the game, while the defense did enough to keep Pittsburgh from building on its chances, leaving UNC with a result that answers one of the biggest questions hanging over this seasons start. [Read more 🡒]
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Kaleb Cost also was injured in the same contest, and his return timeline remains unclear, leaving UNC with questions at a position group that can ill afford more uncertainty. Miller is reportedly doubtful to come back this season, which gives the injury even more weight as the Tar Heels shift from celebrating a victory to figuring out how much depth they have left in the back end. [Read more 🡒]