Carolina dominates hokies in chapel hill

Patrick Campbell

September 21, 2020

CHAPEL HILL - Virginia Tech was shutout by North Carolina on Sunday for the seventh time in a row, falling 1-0 in Chapel Hill.

The Hokies were only able to get one shot on goal while Carolina unloaded for 10, forcing Tech freshman goalkeeper Alia Skinner to make nine saves, the most by a first-year keeper in a decade. The Hokies held UNC to their fewest number of goals in a match in Chapel Hill since 2006.

Tech started out strong in the first 10 minutes but it was all Tar Heels after that. UNC had two goals called back for offsides before breaking through in the 15th minute. The Hokies were unable to clear the ball out of the 18-yard box, resulting in Brianna Pinto chipping a shot up and over Skinner, that proved to be the game winner.

In the second half, Carolina continued to dominate. Virginia Tech was never capable of holding possession in the attacking half.

Tech’s lone opportunity came in the 57th minute when Erin Carleton placed a beautiful through ball on the feet of a streaking Emily Gray. The midfield maestro drove a shot on goal that was deflected by the fingertips of a diving Claudia Dickey. That was Tech’s only shot on goal of the day.

“I’m really proud of the group overall because I thought they did a good job of defending and playing together,” Tech head coach Chugger Adair said. “I'd like to see us creating more chances going forward.”

UNC moves to 2-0 overall and in the ACC while the Hokies fall to 0-3 overall, 0-2 in conference play. Both teams take on their in-state rival next - UNC travels to Duke on Sunday, while Tech hosts Virginia in its home opener on Friday at 6 p.m. The Cavaliers knocked off the Hokies 3-1 in the season opener on Sept. 12.