In its 28th appearance in the Final Four, the Tar Heels fell behind in the 22nd minute for the first time all season and for the first time in an NCAA tournament since 2022. With that early deficit, North Carolina never rebounded.

The score remained deadlocked after one quarter of play. Despite several opportunities, including two back-to-back penalty corners, UNC failed to capitalize.

In the sixth minute, junior forward Ryleigh Heck had a promising look, breaking away from defenders at the top left of the circle and striking the ball toward the goal. The SJU goalkeeper, Marith Bijkerk, had to make the save in a split.

When Saint Joseph's earned a fast break opportunity as the seconds dwindled off the clock, redshirt first-year back Hope Haynes flattened her stick on the turf to block the ball right in front of the goal.

Opening the second quarter, senior goalkeeper Abigail Taylor faced another SJU attack, but she blocked the corresponding shot with her face mask.

For the first time all season, UNC fell into a deficit. In the 22nd minute, a wild ball was collected by Saint Joseph's Manu Ghigliotti inside the circle, steadied and then shot over her shoulder into the back of the cage.

The Hawks continued knocking on the door for another score, drawing a penalty corner in the 27th minute. However, Taylor made the save with her chest, kicking it out of the circle.

At the end of the first half, Saint Joseph's held onto its 1-0 lead.