Virginia Edges Notre Dame 1-0, Reaches ACC Final
Addison Halpern's 38th-minute goal sends No. 10 Virginia to the ACC Championship Game against North Carolina.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Soccer
No. 10 Virginia defeated No. 4 Notre Dame 1-0 in the ACC women's soccer semifinal on Thursday. Addison Halpern scored the lone goal in the 38th minute, and keeper Victoria Safradin made five saves, all in the second half.
Why it matters
The win advances Virginia to the ACC Championship Game, where it will face No. 2 North Carolina for the conference title. It also closes out a demanding stretch for the team, which played its third game in seven days, all on the road.
Halpern's goal was her 12th of the 2026 season, and Safradin recorded five saves, all in the second half. North Carolina's 16-2-0 record (8-1-0 ACC) compares with Virginia's 11-3-4 mark, and the Tar Heels beat Virginia 3-1 earlier in the season on September 25.
The players
Virginia Cavaliers
The University of Virginia's women's soccer program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference and is based in Charlottesville, Virginia.
North Carolina Tar Heels
The University of North Carolina's women's soccer program is a perennial ACC power and is based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
The details
Virginia's Addison Halpern struck in the 38th minute to decide the semifinal against Notre Dame at a 1-0 scoreline on Thursday. Keeper Victoria Safradin made five saves, all in the second half, to preserve the shutout. The Cavaliers now face North Carolina in the conference final on Sunday.
Timeline
September 25: North Carolina defeated Virginia 3-1 at Klöckner Stadium.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: Virginia defeated Notre Dame 1-0 in the ACC semifinal.
Sunday, November 15, 2026: ACC Championship Game, Virginia vs. North Carolina, kickoff at noon on ESPNU.
Season Trajectory
Virginia's semifinal win places it in the ACC Championship Game, a result that shapes its postseason standing within a conference where North Carolina has been the dominant program this fall. Advancing past a ranked opponent in the semifinal keeps the Cavaliers in contention for a conference crown despite the Tar Heels' stronger record.
The Championship Game kicks off at noon Sunday on ESPNU, so fans planning to watch need that channel. A Virginia title would make the Cavaliers' tournament path the one to follow through the weekend.
The takeaway
Virginia's back-to-back road results show how much depth a team needs during a compressed conference tournament. Following the schedule closely will tell you when the next decisive match arrives.
What happens next
The ACC Championship Game against North Carolina is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 2026, at noon on ESPNU.
Further reading
For more on the team's conference run, see Soccer coverage across the ACC.
