Box Score CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Belmont women's soccer team's 2019 season run has come to a close, with No. 1 seed North Carolina defeating the Bruins 5-0 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday night at Dorrance Field.
Belmont made its second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, with the Bruins making the dance for the first time since 2008.
"There's 64 teams that earn their spot in the NCAA Tournament and we are one of 64 teams and they should be proud of that," head coach Heather Henson said. "To watch these young ladies and play against North Carolina, who has such a strong tradition of winning National Championships, and battle with them throughout the entire game, I'm elated. I'm so proud. My heart is so full of joy because they brought to this game what they bring to every single game. They battled with their heart."
Having 119 season saves heading into Saturday's match, senior Lily Herman needed 12 more saves to break the single season program record for most saves in a season. North Carolina fired its last shot on goal with under 40 seconds to play, with the Springboro, Ohio native snagging her 12th save of the night to have the most saves in a single season with 131.
The previous milestone stood for 15 years, with Micaela Crowley grabbing 130 saves in the 2004 season.
"Coming into this year, it was kind of cool being able to see yourself on the stat leaderboard and what not," Herman said. "More importantly, we were able to make such a big impact this season as a team. This 2019-20 team is going to forever go down in history books. I'm so thankful to be a part of this team and I'll be forever grateful for that."
After the Bruins held North Carolina scoreless for the first 20 minutes of the match, the Tar Heels scored two quick goals in the 21st and 22nd minutes to take the lead. North Carolina's Emily Fox scored an unassisted goal in the 27th minute, allowing the Tar Heels to take a 3-0 lead heading into the locker room.
Alessia Russo scored her second goal of the match in the 53rd minute while North Carolina capped off its scoring with its fifth goal 10 minutes later.
While the result on the scoreboard was not what the Bruins wanted, the memory of playing on the same field as a program that has won 21 National Championships is one that will last a lifetime, senior MacKenzie Firek said.
"This field has a lot of history. I grew up adoring (U.S. National Team icon) Mia Hamm and I knew she went here," Firek said. "Just the history behind North Carolina soccer was amazing and it truly was an honor to get to end my career here. I never in a million years could have pictured a better ending for my soccer career.
This whole season has been a fairy tale. I couldn't of asked more from Belmont or from my parents or soccer in general. This is a season I will always remember and I'm so thankful for my teammates and everyone that was a part of it."
Belmont's group of eight seniors finished the 2019 season with one of the most accomplished years in program history. Not only did Herman set a record on Saturday, senior Niki Clements leaves her Belmont career as the only player in program history to record a hat trick in the 2010s era.
The senior class of 2019 was the first group of Belmont seniors to make the OVC Tournament in all four years, leading the Bruins to become the first No. 6 seed and lowest seed in OVC Tournament history to take the tournament title.
"They left their legacy. They accomplished their goals, not only winning the OVC Championship, but finding a way and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament," Henson said. "At the same time, they also brought such a deeper level to our team and our family. They opened that door for our faith to be brought out even more."
