University of North Carolina Athletics
Thursday, October 29
Chapel Hill, N.C.
7 p.m.
North Carolina
14-2-0, 7-1-0
2
vs
0
SMU
6-7-4, 1-6-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMU | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North Carolina | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Summer Denigan (13)
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
October 29, 2026 | Women's Soccer
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 2 Carolina women's soccer welcomed SMU to Chapel Hill for the first time in 33 seasons Thursday night. In their final home game of the regular season, the Tar Heels downed the Mustangs, 2-0.
How it Happened
Carolina established their offensive attack early in the match, controlling the tempo from kickoff. Lilliah Blum got the Tar Heels rolling in the seventh minute. The senior took a shot that nearly missed, hitting the right corner of the post. Just three minutes later, Hope Munson's shot from the left side of the goal soared just above the crossbar.
In the 17th minute, Summer Denigan broke the game open. Aven Alvarez dished the ball to the senior where she buried the shot in the left side of the net, recording her 10th goal of the season. Denigan's goal gave the Tar Heels an early edge at 1-0.
Carolina continued to dominate on the ball in the first half, taking 15 shots while maintaining possession over 80 percent of the time. The Tar Heel backline held steady, allowing zero shots from the Mustangs. UNC headed into the break ahead by one.
Munson continued to put pressure on the SMU defense, eventually leading to a 60th-minute goal for the sophomore. The defender slotted the ball into the bottom left corner from just outside the 18-yard box. Munson's goal extended Carolina's lead to 2-0 down the stretch.
Bella Gaetino was inches away from making the score 3-0 after flicking a Blum pass across the SMU goal. The 75th -minute shot was saved off the foot of the Mustang's goalkeeper, who would go on to face 30 shots from the Tar Heels.
Ashley Pennie looked to get in on the action in the 83rd minute, hitting the crossbar on her fourth shot of the night.
Carolina would go on to defeat the Mustangs 2-0 in their final home game of the regular season. The Tar Heels went 9-1 on Dorrance Field at Play2Dream Legacy Stadium during the 2026 regular season, while outscoring opponents 38-6.
The Tar Heels are now 14-2 on the season and 7-1 against ACC opponents. Carolina wraps up ACC play and the 2026 regular season on the road at Louisville on Nov. 5. Catch all the action on ACC Network at 6 p.m.
Tar Heel Tidbits
How it Happened
Carolina established their offensive attack early in the match, controlling the tempo from kickoff. Lilliah Blum got the Tar Heels rolling in the seventh minute. The senior took a shot that nearly missed, hitting the right corner of the post. Just three minutes later, Hope Munson's shot from the left side of the goal soared just above the crossbar.
In the 17th minute, Summer Denigan broke the game open. Aven Alvarez dished the ball to the senior where she buried the shot in the left side of the net, recording her 10th goal of the season. Denigan's goal gave the Tar Heels an early edge at 1-0.
Carolina continued to dominate on the ball in the first half, taking 15 shots while maintaining possession over 80 percent of the time. The Tar Heel backline held steady, allowing zero shots from the Mustangs. UNC headed into the break ahead by one.
Munson continued to put pressure on the SMU defense, eventually leading to a 60th-minute goal for the sophomore. The defender slotted the ball into the bottom left corner from just outside the 18-yard box. Munson's goal extended Carolina's lead to 2-0 down the stretch.
Bella Gaetino was inches away from making the score 3-0 after flicking a Blum pass across the SMU goal. The 75th -minute shot was saved off the foot of the Mustang's goalkeeper, who would go on to face 30 shots from the Tar Heels.
Ashley Pennie looked to get in on the action in the 83rd minute, hitting the crossbar on her fourth shot of the night.
Carolina would go on to defeat the Mustangs 2-0 in their final home game of the regular season. The Tar Heels went 9-1 on Dorrance Field at Play2Dream Legacy Stadium during the 2026 regular season, while outscoring opponents 38-6.
The Tar Heels are now 14-2 on the season and 7-1 against ACC opponents. Carolina wraps up ACC play and the 2026 regular season on the road at Louisville on Nov. 5. Catch all the action on ACC Network at 6 p.m.
Tar Heel Tidbits
- Carolina held SMU to zero total shots. This marks the first time this season the Tar Heels have held an opponent to zero total shots in a match.
- The Tar Heels took 30 shots with nine on goal, recording a season-high in total shots.
- Hope Munson recorded her fifth goal of the season while Summer Denigan notched her 10th.
- Munson led the team with seven shots and three on goal.
- Aven Alvarez tallied an assist.
- UNC took 15 corner kicks compared to the one by SMU, another season-high for the Tar Heels.
- The Tar Heels improve to 7-1 in ACC play, including four shutouts.
- Carolina recorded their ninth win at home this season, including seven shutouts.
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward/Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's SoccerTeam Stats
SMU
UNC
Goals
0
2
Shots
0
30
Shots on Goal
0
9
Saves
7
0
Corners
1
15
Fouls
8
5
Scoring Plays
Summer Denigan (10)
Assisted By: Aven Alvarez
GOAL by UNC Denigan, Summer Assist by Alvarez, Aven.
16:23
Hope Munson (5)
GOAL by UNC Munson, Hope.
59:40
Game Leaders
def
Shots
7
SOG
3
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
def
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
mid
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Friday, October 30
Thursday, October 29
Thursday, October 29
Thursday, October 29