The seventh-ranked UNC women’s soccer team lost its first nonconference home game since 2022 on Sunday, as fifth-ranked Michigan State held on for a 3-2 win.
The Spartans opened the scoring just over 20 minutes into the first half, with senior Kennedy Bell scoring on a solo run to the penalty area. The Tar Heels answered just two and a half minutes later, when Georgia grad transfer Summer Denigan converted on a precision pass into the box from freshman Scottie Antonucci.
Bell struck again eight minutes into the second half after winning the race to a volleyed pass on the edge of the penalty area. Less than 10 minutes later, Carolina junior Bella Gaetino was issued a red card for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity with a tackle from behind close to the same spot. Senior Bella Najera converted on the free kick to give the Spartans a 3-1 lead.
Despite being down to 10 players, UNC managed to get a goal back when freshman Sealey Strawn converted a penalty kick with a little more than 17 minutes to go and even generated a few chances to equalize in the closing minutes. The Tar Heels outshot Michigan State 21-7 with a 5-4 edge in shots on goal and had nine corner kicks to the Spartans’ two. The teams combined for 31 fouls, with Michigan State committing 16 and Carolina committing 15.
The Spartans improved to 3-0 with the result, while the Tar Heels fell to 3-1. The contest saw both teams surrender their first goals of the season.
Next, UNC travels to Dublin for an exhibition game against Irish pro team Shelbourne FC on Friday at 2:00 PM ET. The Tar Heels’ next game on American soil is at Arizona on Sept. 3 at 10:00 PM ET.
