CHAPEL HILL, N.C.  –   Top-ranked North Carolina surrendered a goal to New Mexico in the 10th minute but rallied past the Lobos on second-half goals by Crystal Dunn and Caroline Lindquist to triumph 2-1 before 3,242 fans at Fetzer Field.

 

The game of the was second contest of the day in the Carolina Nike Classic, following a 1-0 win by #12 Duke over Kennesaw State in the lidlifter.  The Tar Heels improved to 3-0 with the win over the Lobos while New Mexico fell to 1-2 with the loss.

 

After New Mexico goalkeeper Cassie Ulrich thwarted the Tar Heels with saves on shots by Crystal Dunn and Kealia Ohai in the opening five minutes of the game, the Lobos responded with a goal on their first of their three shots in the match, tallying at 9:24.  After a foul on the Tar Heels near midfield, the initial ball played into the box by UNM was cleared by out by UNC.  New Mexico sent the ball right back in, but the Tar Heel defense spilled it at the top right side of the box.  Dylann O’Connor pounced on the loose ball, found a bit of an opening and sent a shot cross cage into the lower left side for her second goal of the year.

 

Carolina could not get the equalizer before halftime as the Tar Heels outshot the Lobos 7-2 in the opening 45 minutes.  After the early goal by New Mexico, UNC’s best chance came at 42:39 when Ulrich turned away an effort by Dunn.

 

The second half was a completely different story as UNC dominated action from the opening whistle and eventually wore down the Lobo defense, resulting in a pair of scores.  UNC outshot the Lobos 14-1 overall in the second half.

 

Carolina’s Satara Murray came close to knotting the game when she redirected an Alexa Newfield free kick off the cross bar at 51:31.  Less than seven minutes later, UNC did tie things up off the foot of Crystal Dunn, her fourth goal of the season.  The scoring sequence came was set up by a Meg Morris throw in.  Kealia Ohai gathered in Morris’ throw in and thread the ball to Dunn who finished from 14 yards out just to the left of center in the box.

 

UNC head coach Anson Dorrance made six substitutions immediately after the Tar Heel goal and it was the reserves who produced the game-winner at the 67:18 mark, a little less than 10 minutes after the tying goal.  Just seconds earlier, Brooke Elby hit the right post with a shot before a UNM defender cleared the ball over the end line.  On the ensuing corner kick, the Tar Heels executed to perfection.  Katie Bowen sent the ball from the left corner spot to the far post where Megan Brigman redirected the ball back across the frame.  Sophomore midfielder Caroline Lindquist was right there to send the ball into the back of the net for her first career goal.

 

The Tar Heels almost extended their lead to a pair of goals on several occasions but were denied by Ulrich.  She made two saves in particular that were highlight reel quality.  She parried a laser like shot by Joanna Boyles over the bar at 69:44 for a corner kick and then had a diving save on a shot by Dunn at 87:28 that appeared to be headed for the lower left side of the netting.

 

UNC outshot the Lobos 21-3 on the game and had a 7-2 edge in corner kicks.  Ulrich finished with seven saves for UNM while Carolina had two saves.  Anna Sieloff played the first 45 minutes in goal for UNC, making one save.  Bryane Heaberlin played the second 45 minutes in goal and also made one save.  Heaberlin earned the win in goal to improve to 3-0 on the season.

 

The Tar Heels will be back in action again on Sunday as they host day two of the Carolina Nike Classic.  Duke will play New Mexico at 12 noon followed by a game between the Tar Heels and Kennesaw State at 3 p.m.