Rees’ halftime finish helps Virginia end Chapel Hill drought — September 20, 2026

Amelie Rees scored at the end of the first half, and Virginia protected the lead through a pressure-filled fourth quarter to beat North Carolina 2-1 on Sept. 20.

The ninth-ranked Cavaliers’ victory at Karen Shelton Stadium was their first in Chapel Hill since 2006, according to Virginia’s official recap. It also brought them to 5-2 overall and 1-1 in the ACC after their loss at Duke two days earlier.

Lauren Sloan needed only 38 seconds to put Virginia ahead, with Mary Adams and Emma Watchilla assisting. Charly Bruder equalized for No. 11 North Carolina during the first quarter. Rees then supplied the eventual winner on the final play of the opening half, ending a series of Virginia penalty corners.

The official box score records Rees’ goal at 30:00 and Bruder’s at 6:31. Virginia held a 12-8 advantage in corners overall, including six in the second quarter. North Carolina earned seven of its eight corners in the fourth.

That late shift produced 10 Tar Heel shots in the final period, but no equalizer. Nilou Lempers finished with five saves, including three in the fourth quarter. Both teams had six shots on goal, while Virginia held a 16-14 edge in total attempts.

Sloan accounted for six Virginia shots. Rees scored with her only attempt, providing the finish that separated the teams despite North Carolina’s late territorial push.

The Cavaliers had lost their conference opener without scoring. In Chapel Hill, they struck almost immediately, answered an equalizer before halftime and defended that advantage until the final whistle.