Keeping It Heel
Fansided

Another legendary Duke coach ends their career with Final Four loss to North Carolina

The UNC women's soccer team were the ones to play spoilers this time around!

By Nick Delahanty

Dec 6, 2024; Cary, NC, USA; North Carolina fm Kate Faasse (13) with the ball as Duke midfielder Hannah Bebar (18) and midfielder Carina Lageyre (16) defend in the first half at WakeMed Soccer Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Dec 6, 2024; Cary, NC, USA; North Carolina fm Kate Faasse (13) with the ball as Duke midfielder Hannah Bebar (18) and midfielder Carina Lageyre (16) defend in the first half at WakeMed Soccer Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
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This feels quite familiar.

A Duke head coach announces their retirement during the summer but coaches one more season as a farewell tour. Duke makes the Final Four, then has his season/career ended by the UNC team coached by first-year head coach.

It was so much fun the first time that it had to be done again!

The UNC women's soccer team defeated Duke in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night. North Carolina will advance to its 28th national championship game as the program looks for its 23rd national title.

434. DUKE. 3. 441. Final. 0

These two programs are already very familiar with each other, as this matchup marked the fourth time they've squared off this season. When it came to postseason play, the Tar Heels were the better team, knocking off the No. 1-seeded Blue Devils to clinch a spot in Monday's title game.

North Carolina got on the board in the 10th minute, courtesy of a Kate Faasse penalty kick goal. That goal marked the 20th goal of the year for Faassee, one that gave her sole possession of the nation’s leading goal scorer title in DI women’s soccer.

In the 24th minute, Olivia Thomas added some cushion with her eighth goal of the season. Faasee wasn't done, as her goal in the 59th minute essentially put the game out of reach.

Duke was a team that found ways to score goals all season, but North Carolina shut them out. It marked the first time that the Blue Devils were shutout since the season opener, a testament to the Tar Heels defensive effort.

First, the UNC basketball program ended the Hall of Fame career of Mike Krzyzewski. Now, the UNC women's soccer team has put an end to Robbie Church's historic coaching career, one that lasted over a span of 38 years.

I don't know about you, but I LOVE spoiling the retirement tours of legendary Duke coaches!

Seeking its 23rd national championship, the Carolina will now face Wake Forest in the national title game on Monday, Dec. 9, at WakeMed Soccer Park. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

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