University of North Carolina Athletics
Women's Soccer Blanks SMU, 3-0, As Mara Records Brace
October 17, 2025 | Women's Soccer
DALLAS, TEXAS -- No. 23 University of North Carolina women's soccer (10-5, 4-3 ACC) picked up a 3-0 shutout win over SMU (8-6-2, 2-4-2 ACC) Friday night in Dallas, Texas. The Tar Heels were led by a brace from Caitlin Mara.
Carolina got on the attack early in the match. In just the ninth minute, Tessa Dellarose took a corner kick for the Tar Heels. Caitlin Mara found the ball off the corner kick and headed it just past the SMU goalkeeper to record the first goal of the day.
With the one-point lead, UNC continued to apply pressure offensively resulting in another corner kick just nine minutes later. In similar fashion to the previous goal, Dellarose took the corner as Mara received the ball to head it into the goal. The Tar Heels' second goal of the match marked a brace for Mara.
UNC maintained a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
Both teams played physical defense to keep each other off goal throughout the second half. Late in the second, Olivia Thomas drew a foul off the Mustang defender resulting in a penalty kick. Kate Faasse then stepped up to take the Tar Heels first penalty kick of the season. The forward nailed the shot to put UNC ahead by three.
The Tar Heels continued to lock down the Mustang attackers to secure a 3-0 win on the road.
Quick Stats
Carolina got on the attack early in the match. In just the ninth minute, Tessa Dellarose took a corner kick for the Tar Heels. Caitlin Mara found the ball off the corner kick and headed it just past the SMU goalkeeper to record the first goal of the day.
With the one-point lead, UNC continued to apply pressure offensively resulting in another corner kick just nine minutes later. In similar fashion to the previous goal, Dellarose took the corner as Mara received the ball to head it into the goal. The Tar Heels' second goal of the match marked a brace for Mara.
UNC maintained a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.
Both teams played physical defense to keep each other off goal throughout the second half. Late in the second, Olivia Thomas drew a foul off the Mustang defender resulting in a penalty kick. Kate Faasse then stepped up to take the Tar Heels first penalty kick of the season. The forward nailed the shot to put UNC ahead by three.
The Tar Heels continued to lock down the Mustang attackers to secure a 3-0 win on the road.
Quick Stats
- Carolina took 17 shots with seven on goal.
- The Tar Heels held the Mustangs to nine shots with only two on goal.
- UNC took five corner kicks with two resulting in goals.
- Tessa Dellarose tallied two assists.
- Caitlin Mara recorded two of Carolina's three goals.
- Kate Faasse recorded her eighth goal of the season.
Team Stats
UNC
SMU
Goals
3
0
Shots
17
9
Shots on Goal
7
2
Saves
2
3
Corners
5
4
Fouls
9
12
Scoring Plays

Caitlin Mara (2)
Assisted By: Tessa Dellarose
GOAL by UNC Mara, Caitlin Assist by Dellarose, Tessa.
10:31

Caitlin Mara (2)
Assisted By: Tessa Dellarose
GOAL by UNC Mara, Caitlin Assist by Dellarose, Tessa.
18:26

Kate Faasse (7)
UNC Kate Faasse PENALTY KICK GOAL.
78:13
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
UNC Women's Soccer: Big First Half Helps Heels Over Syracuse, 4-2
Sunday, October 26
WSOC: Big First Half Helps Heels Over Syracuse, 4-2
Sunday, October 26
FB: Players Post-Virginia
Saturday, October 25
FB: Belichick press conference post Virginia
Saturday, October 25



















