The No. 8 North Carolina women’s soccer team (2-0-0) defeated Colorado (1-1-0) 3-2 on Sunday afternoon.

The game started slowly, with neither team able to keep the ball offensively or get a good look at the goal. Both teams defended aggressively, using double marking and sliding tackles to keep the ball out of the box.

North Carolina’s offense looked shaky at the start, with several misplaced passes and only one shot on goal by midfielder Linda Ullmark after 20 minutes. But the Tar Heels started the first half better and limited their misplaced passes and bad shots.

UNC had a chance in the 27th minute after a blocked shot led to a corner for the Tar Heels. Junior defender Tessa Dellarose took the corner, which was headed to sophomore forward Olivia Thomas. Thomas laid the ball off to freshman midfielder Bella Gaetino, who fired the goal past Colorado goalkeeper Jordan Nytes.

Colorado tried to react immediately and got the ball to defender Ava Priest in front of the North Carolina defense, but Priest’s shot went wide.

The Tar Heels dominated the attack in the second half of the first half. Thomas had a good cross late in the half, but the ball deflected off junior forward Kate Faasse.

The Buffaloes came out of halftime strong, dominating possession early and creating several good chances. They tied the score just two minutes into the second period when senior midfielder Makenna Dominguez fed the ball to forward Shyra James, who fired it past Gagne.

UNC had several good scoring opportunities after Colorado’s goal, including a shot from senior forward Bella Sember that deflected off the left post, but Colorado quickly regained possession.

Colorado was able to capitalize on its offensive dominance in the 74th minute when defender Angelina Moschetti fired a right-footed shot past Gagne into the bottom right corner of the goal.