ATHENS, Ga. – Despite a nearly two-hour weather delay, the University of Georgia soccer team overcame the elements for a landmark 2-0 victory over 12^th-ranked defending national champion North Carolina Thursday evening at the Turner Soccer Complex.
 
Fast Facts

• After dropping the first six meetings in the series, Georgia (2-1-0) earned its first-ever win against North Carolina (1-2-0) with a second-half surge. Thursday’s win marked the highest-ranked non-conference win at home since a 3-1 victory over No. 15 Clemson on Sept. 2, 2021. It was also only the 11^th victory in program history over an ACC opponent.
• The match’s start time was delayed by forty minutes before the teams began play before a packed crowd of 1,802 spectators. After only 14 minutes of play, the match was suspended for an hour and 47 minutes due to inclement weather. Following the resumption of play, the Bulldogs and Tar Heels combined for only three shots, with freshman forward Mya Townes nearly scoring as her shot grazed the crossbar in the 42^nd minute.
• In the second half, Georgia ratcheted up the pressure resulting in the first goal from redshirt junior midfielder Summer Denigan in the 51^st minute. North Carolina keeper Liya Brooks blocked the initial shot from senior forward Sage Glover before Denigan deposited the rebound for her second score of the season.
• The Bulldogs sealed the win in the 72^nd minute as freshman forward Lily Kate Elphick roped a shot off her left foot into the back corner of the net, set up by an assist from Denigan. Elphick’s electrifying second goal of the season empowered the Bulldogs, who stopped the final three Tar Heel attempts, highlighted by a diving steal from freshman goalkeeper Hannah Folliard on reigning MAC Hermann Trophy winner Kate Faasse.
• For the night, Georgia outshot North Carolina, 9-8, including a 6-2 advantage in shots on frame. Glover led all players with four shots, while Folliard tallied two saves for the first complete shutout of her career.

 
Post-Match Quotes
Head Coach Keidane McAlpine
On the historic victory…
“They were locked in today. I have to give them a lot of credit. Since this morning in training and yesterday, they’ve been really locked in. They were really anxious to get back out and play. They didn’t want to lose tonight. They felt good about tonight. The crowd at the beginning was amazing, and I think that energy carried through.”
 
#18 Lily Kate Elphick | F | Fr.
On the match…
“It was awesome. We definitely got a little bit of a break in the intermission, but we came out with a lot of energy. When we all went in, it was so much fun. We came in with a lot of energy and confidence, and we knew we had to get it done. It was awesome.”
 
#14 Hannah Folliard | GK | Fr.
On the shutout…
“It felt great. Honestly, I am just so excited overall for our team. This is really what we’ve been working for these last couple of weeks. This is what we’ve been wanting. Obviously, we fell short to UCLA, so we wanted to be the better team today. We wanted to show them that we can beat a top-tier team. A clean sheet feels great. So proud of my backline, it’s not just me. I had so many people in front of me who did their jobs. We’re hungry. We said at half and before the game that we want to be hungry. We need to be on the ground fighting, and everyone fought today. I’m just really happy for the team.”
 
Up Next
Georgia continues its five-match season opening homestand against Big Ten foe Michigan on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 12 p.m. at the Turner Soccer Complex. Prior to the match, seven members of the Bulldogs’ senior class will be recognized. Admission is free for all spectators, and the match will stream live on SEC Network+.