Women’s Soccer Tops Duke In ACC Semifinal, 1-0 - University of North Carolina Athletics

Thursday, November 12

Cary, N.C.

2 p.m.

North Carolina

16-2-0, 8-1-0

Duke

10-3-5, 4-2-4

Team	1	2	Final F
Duke	0	0	0
North Carolina	1	0	1

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

November 12, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

CARY, N.C. – No. 2 Carolina women's soccer clashed with No. 12 Duke in the 2026 Ally ACC Women's Soccer Championship Semifinal Thursday afternoon. In their second meeting of the season, the Tar Heels topped the Blue Devils, 1-0.

With their semifinal win, UNC is set to make their 30^th appearance in the ACC Tournament championship match.

How it Happened
Carolina maintained possession of the ball early in the match, creating multiple opportunities to score. The Tar Heels took three shots and one corner kick within the first 15 minutes of play.

In the 18^th minute, Ashley Pennie and Hope Munson teamed up to cause a Duke turnover. The ball then found Riley Kennedy well into the Blue Devil's half of the field. The sophomore played a long ball ahead to Bella Devey on a full sprint to the goal. Devey took a couple touches before striking the ball low and hard past the Duke goalkeeper. The forward's goal gave Carolina an early edge at 1-0.

The goal gave the ACC Player of the Year her 17^th this season.

The Tar Heels continued to apply pressure on the Blue Devil defense during the first half.

Bella Gaetino eventually entered the match in an attacking role, finding herself in scoring position in the 42^nd minute. The junior missed wide to the left.

Carolina headed into the break ahead by one.

Duke started to gain some offensive momentum in the second half. In the 68^th minute, Mia Minestrella found herself in front of the goal and took the shot right down the center. Carolina's goalkeeper Peyton Trayer stepped up to make the save, keeping the Blue Devils off the board.

Scottie Antonucci and Devey continued to create scoring opportunities for the Tar Heels down the stretch. Both players found themselves in scoring position, but the Duke goalkeeper notched a pair of saves to hold off the Carolina attack.

The UNC backline held strong to keep Duke scoreless through the match, securing the team's 11th shutout victory of the season.

Up Next
The Tar Heels advance to the ACC title game for the 30th time in program history. Carolina will face No. 10 Virginia on Sunday at noon with streaming available on ESPNU. The Tar Heels and Cavaliers previously met this season on Sept. 25 where UNC came out on top, 3-1, on the road.

Tar Heel Tidbits

Carolina took 13 shots with six on goal.
The Tar Heels held the Blue Devils to just three shots on goal.
Bella Devey notched her 17th goal of the season. She is now tied for the most goals in the ACC.
UNC took five corner kicks compared to the four by Duke.
Riley Kennedy dished out her third assist of the season.
Peyton Trayer recorded three saves in goal.