KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Tennessee opened its 2025 season with one of its biggest wins in program history, defeating top-ranked North Carolina 2-0 inside Regal Stadium.
Following a scoreless first half, O’Rourke, a Texas A&M transfer, netted her first goal with UNC goalkeeper Liya Brooks off her line.
In the 75th minute, O’ Rourke provided the exclamation point off a cross from Sarah Kate Rath to make the score 2-0.
The match was the first O’Rourke has played since the 2023 season at South Carolina. She missed all of last season with the Aggies.
Tennessee’s Cayden Norris made 5 saves in the shutout.
The win gives Tennessee its first victory against a No. 1 team all-time. It’s the first time a defending national champion has lost a season opener since Santa Clara fell to Stanford in 2