CARY, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina women’s soccer team are national champions again after defeating in-state rival Wake Forest in the 2024 NCAA Tournament final Monday night.
Olivia Thomas’ goal off a free kick in the 61st minute was the difference as the Tar Heels defeated the Demon Deacons 1-0 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.
The national title is the 23rd in program history — the most in the NCAA — and first since longtime legendary coach Anson Dorrance retired last summer. UNC last won the championship in 2012.
Both programs drew No. 2 seeds in the tournament. Carolina defeated archrival and overall No. 1 seed Duke Friday night to advance to the title game, while Wake Forest took down Stanford in their semifinal match.
The championship game was the 41st all-time meeting between the Tar Heels and Demon Deacons. UNC now leads the series 36-2-3. It was the first NCAA title game featuring two teams from North Carolina since 1992, when the Tar Heels beat the Blue Devils in Chapel Hill.