U.S. international Heather O’Reilly went out as she began her college career with a national championship, leading North Carolina to its 18th NCAA women’s championship Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over top-ranked and previously unbeaten Notre Dame at SAS Soccer Park in Cary, N.C.
O’Reilly, who won an NCAA title as a freshman in 2003, and freshman Casey Nogueira, making her first collegiate start, both repeated their semifinal performances with goals to lead UNC past Notre Dame for the fourth time in an NCAA championship game. The Tar Heels finished a magical season with 27 successive wins after a season-opening loss on overtime at Texas A&M, tying the school record for victories in a season.