A Bella Devey breakaway goal in the 18th minute served as the difference in UNC’s 1-0 win against Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals in Cary Thursday afternoon. The Tar Heels will now advance to the conference championship Sunday and are aiming for their first ACC Tournament title since 2019.
Headed to the Championship!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/GnXtz2qdP9
— UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) November 12, 2026
Devey’s goal came after the Tar Heels had been denied by Duke keeper Molly Vapensky twice in the previous three minutes. There was no stopping the reigning ACC Offensive Player of the Year on the third attempt though, as she got behind the Blue Devil defense and slid a shot past Vapensky for her 17th goal of the season.
The Tar Heels had several chances to increase the lead, most notably on a breakaway by Bella Gaetino late in the first half. On a similar play which led to Devey’s goal, Gaetino found herself in a one-on-one opportunity against Vapensky. Gaetino got around Vapensky, but with a tight angle sent her shot off the goalpost. Barely a minute later, a Duke chance for an equalizer went off the post.
Carolina kept the pressure on the Duke net in the second half and forced three more saves out of Vapensky, while Tar Heel keeper Peyton Trayer stopped the only Blue Devil shot on goal in the 69th minute. Trayer ended the day with three saves to clinch Carolina’s 11th shutout victory of the season. It was also UNC’s second win of the season against Duke, after the Tar Heels beat the Blue Devils 4-2 at Dorrance Field in September.
UNC, the No. 2 seed in the ACC Tournament, will face No. 5 seed Virginia in the conference championship Sunday at noon in Cary. The Cavaliers upset No. 4 seed Florida State in the tournament’s first round and defeated regular season champion Notre Dame in Thursday’s first semifinal. The Tar Heels won 3-1 at Virginia in September. Sunday’s match will be televised on ESPNU.
Featured image via UNC Women’s Soccer on Twitter
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