Nov. 20, 2004
Chapel Hill, N.C. Forward Megan Kakadelas scored off an assist by forward Tina Estrada 31 seconds into the first overtime period to lift No. 4-ranked Santa Clara to a 1-0 victory over No. 1-ranked North Carolina in the third round of the 2004 NCAA Women¹s Soccer Tournament before 2,129 fans at Fetzer Field. The Tar Heels suffered their first loss since December 6, 2002 and finished the season 17-4-2 while the fourth-ranked Broncos improved to 17-4-2 and will now play in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals next weekend against the winner of the third round game between Nebraska and Illinois.
Despite a 19-4 edge in shots in regulation, including a 12-1 edge in the first half, the Tar Heels were unable to get a goal past Santa Clara goalkeeper Julie Ryder as she made nine saves. Eventually the Broncos were able to break through on their fifth shot after a turnover by the Tar Heel defense in the opening minute of the first overtime period. Estrada sent a through ball to Kakadelas who finished to the right of Tar Heel goalkeeper Aly Winget at 90:31. It was Kakadelas¹ seventh goal of the season.
The match marked only the second time this season UNC has been held scoreless. UNC was also held scoreless in a 0-0 tie with Tennessee on September 10, 2004 at Knoxville, Tenn.
The goal allowed by the Tar Heels was the first in an NCAA Tournament game since UNC lost to Santa Clara 2-1 in the NCAA semifinals on December 6, 2002 in Austin, Texas. That was also UNC¹s last loss. The Tar Heels were 47-0-2 since that loss to the Broncos.