North Carolina Wins First Title in 12 Years

by Victor Olorunfemi

December 10, 2024

The Queen of Women’s College Soccer is back on top as North Carolina defeated Wake Forest 1-0 to lift the 2024 trophy, ending a 12-year drought and giving the Tar Heels their nation-leading 22nd championship. Sophomore forward Olivia Thomas scored the winner on a gorgeous curling free kick halfway through the second half.

Despite the eventual loss, the first half was all Wake Forest as the Deacs monopolized possession and crafted several opportunities. But the Tar Heels held on for a 0-0 halftime scoreline despite a 1-5 disadvantage in shots.

The second half was the exact opposite of the first, with the Tar Heels utilizing an aggressive high press to register the first four shots of the half. That fourth strike was the winner as Thomas spun her defender to win a free kick from just outside the eighteen, which she would then curl into the corner in the 62nd minute.

💥 WHAT A GOAL!!!

Olivia Thomas scores her fourth goal of the NCAA Tournament to get @uncwomenssoccer on the board.

📺 ESPNU x #WCollegeCup pic.twitter.com/e7X3OfQGaF
— The ACC (@theACC) December 10, 2024

Reflecting on that special moment, Thomas, who is often regarded as nothing more than a dominant athlete, spoke on what it meant to show a different side to her game.

"A lot of times people account my attributes only to my athleticism, so being able to show that technical side was just really amazing and I am still really shocked," she said after the game.

Wake Forest pushed on for an equalizer but struggled to generate any clear looks, with just two second-half shots, neither of which were on target. Graduate midfielder Aria Nagai shined in particular, repeatedly winning possession and breaking up promising Wake Forest attacks. Caiya Hanks came closest for the Deacs, using her incredible burst of pace to threaten the backline, only for the Tar Heels to make a game-saving clearance.

North Carolina has now won 22 national championships, 18 more than any program, while Wake Forest falls just short in the program’s first-ever College Cup final appearance. Damon Nahas joins Margueritte Aozasa of UCLA as the second head coach in three years to win a national title in their first season.

Related Topics: Atlantic Coast