GAINESVILLE, FLA. –  The 19^th-ranked University of North Carolina women’s soccer team advanced to the Round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the 30^th successive season Friday night as the Tar Heels defeated Baylor 5-0 in second round action at James G. Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

 

UNC got goals from Kelly McFarlane, Megan Brigman, Elizabeth Burchenal and Emmalie Pfankuch and benefitted from their first own goal of the season in putting away the Bears, who finished the season 15-4-3.  UNC improved to 13-5-1 on the campaign and will play either Florida or UCF in the third round on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Gainesville, Fla.

 

Sophomore Kealia Ohai recorded assists on two of the first three goals for UNC while Crystal Dunn, Ranee Premji and Maria Lubrano also were credited with helpers for UNC which claimed its 110^th all-time NCAA Tournament victory Friday.

 

North Carolina drew first blood in the match in the 14^th minute of play as sophomore midfielder Kelly McFarlane scored her third goal of the season, sneaking a shot from seven yards out between the right post and Baylor goalkeeper Courtney Seelhoorst.  The goal was assisted by both Crystal Dunn and Kealia Ohai and came officially at 13:18 of the match.

 

UNC doubled its lead at the 23:50 mark on an own goal, the first the Tar Heels have been credited with this season.  Ranee Premji served a ball from the left side of the box across the frame where it was inadvertently redirected into the goal by Baylor midfielder Hanna Gilmore.

 

Exactly four minutes later UNC made it 3-0 as it earned its third goal off a corner kick in the last two games.  Ranee Premji served the corner from the right flag where Kealia Ohai redirected the ball across the frame to the far post.  Tar Heel defender Megan Brigman was there to bury a shot into the back of the net from the three-yard line.  The goal came at 27:50 of the match and was Brigman’s fifth goal of the year.

 

The Tar Heels finished off the scoring in the first half at the 39:59 mark of the period as reserve forward Elizabeth Burchenal tallied her first goal of the season.  Burchenal stole a ball in the attacking third, dribbled into the box and sent a shot from 18 yards that tucked just inside the left goal post for a 4-0 UNC lead.

 

The four first half goals were the most scored in the first half of a game by the Tar Heels since they led 4-0 against Middle Tennessee on September 17, 2010.  UNC finished the half with a 7-2 edge in shots, including a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal.  Adelaide Gay made one first half save for UNC while Courtney Seelhorst had two saves in the first half for Baylor.  The Tar Heels had four corner kicks in the first half to one for Baylor.

 

The Tar Heels increased their lead to 5-0 with 23:14 left in the second half as Emmalie Pfankuch scored her third goal of the season and her first since scoring against Ohio State on September 4.  Midfielder Maria Lubrano sent a through ball behind the Baylor back line and Pfankuch ran on to the ball and finished one-on-one against the goalkeeper from 10 yards out.

 

Carolina finished the game with a 14-7 edge in shots, including a 12-3 edge in shots on goal.  UNC also had a 6-3 margin in corner kicks.