Women’s Soccer Cruises Past Fairfield, 4-0

Thursday, August 13

Chapel Hill, N.C.

7 p.m.

North Carolina

1-0-0, 0-0-0

Fairfield

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Fairfield	0	0	0
North Carolina	2	2	4

Bella Devey, celebration
University of North Carolina Women’s Soccer v Fairfield
Dorrance Field
Play2Dream Stadium
Chapel Hill, NC
Thursday, August 13, 2026

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

August 13, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 8 Carolina women's soccer shut out Fairfield, 4-0, Thursday night at Dorrance Field to open the season. The Tar Heel offense powered the team, tying its largest margin of victory in a season opener since 2021.

How it Happened
The Tar Heels took control right after kickoff. Their fast-tempo, aggressive offense resulted in three corner kicks for Carolina within the first three minutes of the match. UNC was unable to capitalize off the early corners but continued to maintain possession.

In the fourth minute of the match, Hope Munson took the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and quickly went to work. After a couple dribbles, Munson took her shot netting the first goal of the season for the Tar Heels. The goal also marks the first of her career.

Lilliah Blum later dished the ball to Munson where she finished the job scoring her second goal of the match. The sophomore's brace helped Carolina extend their lead to two in the 32^nd minute.

UNC continued to attack taking four shots the rest of the first half. The Tar Heels headed into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

Carolina continued the offensive momentum in the second half. In the 56^th minute, Ashley Pennie passed the ball to Bella Devey square in front of the goal. Devey found the back of the net to give the Tar Heels their third goal of the night.

Just seven minutes later, Summer Denigan assisted Devey on her second goal of the night. Devey's brace gave UNC a commanding 4-0 lead.

Fairfield got their best look of the night late in the 72^nd minute but freshman goalkeeper Peyton Trayer stepped up to record the save for the Tar Heels.

UNC continued to apply the defensive pressure only allowing three total shots from the Stags throughout the match. The Tar Heels went on to secure a 4-0 victory to begin the 2026 campaign.

Tar Heel Tidbits

Hope Munson recorded her first career goal and brace. The sophomore's first goal came in just the fourth minute of the match.
Bella Devey recorded a brace for the first time in her career. Both of her goals came within a seven-minute window during the second half.
Lilliah Blum and Summer Denigan recorded their first assists as a Tar Heel.
Ashley Pennie also added an assist to the box score for Carolina.
Eight freshmen made their collegiate debut.
The Carolina defense only allowed three shots with one on goal for Fairfield.
The Tar Heels took 24 shots with 12 on goal.