CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-1-6, 2-1-1) fell 1-4 on the road against the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels (11-1-0, 4-0-0) on Friday night.
Notre Dame’s sole goal of the evening was scored by junior defender Abby Mills for her first goal of the season. Junior goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica finished the night with four saves.
The top-ranked Tar Heels would ultimately strike first, claiming a 1-0 advantage in the 13th minute. Shortly after in the 17th minute, North Carolina drew a foul in the box and converted on the penalty kick to take the 2-0 lead.
The Irish would soon strike back, scoring on their first shot of the night to make it a one-goal game in the 21st minute.
On an Irish free kick, Reese Canada played a beautiful ball to the far post, finding Abby Mills, whose header would deflect off of the post and into the back of the net. Mills’ first goal of the season would bring the Irish within one at 1-2.
On the counterattack, the Tar Heels would score again to make it 3-1 in the 27th minute.
The Irish had another shot on goal in the 31st minute as Morgan Roy served it into the box, finding Ellie Hodsden at the far post for a header, but resulted in a Tar Heels save.
The Tar Heels would lead 3-1 heading into the second half.
Looking to close the gap, Hodsden fired it from the right side of the box in the 66th minute, but the shot would land wide.
In the 68th minute, North Carolina would score their fourth goal of the night to make it 4-1.
The Irish had a shot on goal from Bristol Kersh in the 83rd minute as her right-footed strike from the left side of the box was saved. Shortly after, Izzy Engle would have a chance on a header in the 84th minute, but resulted in another UNC save.
Notre Dame would have one last look on a corner kick in the final minute, but would fall 1-4 on the road to the top-ranked Tar Heels.
UP NEXT
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are back at home on Thursday, Oct. 8 as they host No. 15 Virginia.