SAN DIEGO — North Carolina scored three goals in the second half to beat Penn State 4-1 yesterday and win its 21st women’s soccer NCAA championship.
The Tar Heels (15-5-3), who were making their 26th appearance in the final four College Cup, won the title for the first time since 2009.
Penn State, which was playing in its first women’s soccer championship game, finished its season at 21-4-2.
With the game tied 1-1, Hanna Gardner scored 48 seconds into the second half when she converted Katie Bowen’s corner kick with a header past Penn State goalkeeper Erin McNulty. It was Gardner’s second goal of the season.
Satara Murray made it a 3-1 game in the 64th minute when she put home a rebound of a shot by Kelly McFarlane. Ten minutes later North Carolina’s Crystal Dunn set up Ranee Premji on a pass from the end line on the left wing and Premji made a one-touch volley and it was 4-1.