O’Reilly leads UNC
to another national title

Heather O’Reilly

East Brunswick’s Heather O’Reilly may have missed out on playing for the United States in the women’s World Cup due to a broken left leg, but she certainly knows how to put an exclamation point on a recovery.

The freshman forward scored eight goals in the NCAA Tournament, capping it off with two goals and one assist in North Carolina’s 6-0 win over Connecticut in the championship game, held in Cary, N.C., on Sunday. With her two goals and one assist, O’Reilly set a new school record for goals in an NCAA Tournament with eight. The previous record for goals in a tournament was set by Mia Hamm, who had six in three games in 1993.

The win gave the Heels a record 18th national title in 22 years, and also allowed them to become the first women’s team to finish at 27-0. It was the team’s first perfect season since 1993, when Hamm led the Tar Heels to a national title.

The 27 wins also tied a school record for wins (the 1997 team finished 27-0-1).

O’Reilly, 18, had at least one goal in six tournament matches as the Tar Heels outscored opponents 32-0. She was named the tournament’s most valuable offensive player, and was also named to the All-Tournament Team.