After a disappointing season opener on the road against Tennessee, the UNC women's soccer program responded with a 5-0 victory over Siena on Sunday afternoon.
Playing in front of the home crowd in Chapel Hill for the first time this season, the Tar Heels showed flashes of why they entered the season as the No. 1 ranked team in the country.
North Carolina wasted no time getting on the board. Following their shutout loss to the Volunteers, the Tar Heels only needed 4:26 to find the back of the net in their home opener. Bella Gaetino is responsible for the goal, the lone goal that would be scored over the first half of play.
Things you love to see⬇️ @bellagaetino https://t.co/xTfBrUYcmF pic.twitter.com/UM2339heQs
— UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) August 17, 2025
While the game had the makings of being a nail-biter through the first half, North Carolina found a way to pull away over the final 45 minutes of action.
In the 63rd minute, Linda Ullmark capitalized on a perfect pass from Kate Faasse to extend the UNC women's soccer program's lead to 2-0. About five minutes later, Shaela Bradley added a goal of her own, one that really put the pressure on the visiting Saints.
A three goal lead wasn't enough for North Carolina. Olivia Thomas scored her first goal of the 2025 season in the 76th minute while Eres Freifeld capped off the Tar Heels scoring with her goal just before the 83rd minute of play.
The UNC women's soccer team was battle-tested right out of the gate, competing against an SEC program on their home field. Although the result isn't what the Tar Heels hoped for, the good news is that the team responded well in its home opener before hitting the road for another clash with an SEC foe in enemy territory on Thursday night in Athens, Georgia.