UNC falls to Maryland in national championship for second time

LOUISVILLE — The North Carolina field hockey team once again found itself leading with time winding down in a national title game, and again the scoreboard read 3-2 in favor of Maryland just as it had when the teams exited the field last year in College Park.

Maryland sophomore Jill Witmer scored the golden goal for the Terrapins against North Carolina 10 minutes into overtime, but the Terrapins had already inched the national title trophy closer to College Park when they captured momentum at the end of regulation.

Jemma Buckley’s goal on a corner as time expired sped under a diving Sassi Ammer, and UNC coach Karen Shelton said her team could not recover.

The last three title games have all pitted North Carolina against Maryland, but UNC only hoisted the trophy in 2009.

While the Tar Heels’ defense, which led the nation in goals against average coming into the Final Four, did not allow a shot on goal until the 67th minute, goalie Ammer would have no choice but to field shots when Maryland threw all the attack it had in the waning minutes of the final.

Buckley dragged a shot toward the lower left portion of the cage looking to deflect it off one of her teammates, but the ball made it past Ammer.

“It actually was set for Colleen Gulick to deflect,” Maryland coach Missy Meharg said, “I think (Ammer) just got jinxed by the stick lying down there, but just a fabulously deceptive drag on the goal by Jemma.”

From the 66th minute until Witmer’s title-clinching goal in the 81st minute, it was Maryland’s game.

Freshman Katie Gerzabek led Maryland’s scoring off the stick of junior Harriet Tibble, but UNC senior captain Katelyn Falgowski still was confident in the Tar Heels’ ability to hold the lead.

“Getting scored on never feels good, but we had gotten two goals and we felt pretty good about having the lead at that point,” Falgowski said.

The Tar Heels entered the final by equaling the largest deficit overcome in NCAA tournament history on Friday against Connecticut in the semifinals, but none of that would matter come Sunday.

“As thrilling as it was on Friday night, it was as heartbreaking today for our team and particularly our seniors,” Shelton said. “Congratulations to University of Maryland for doing what we did to (Connecticut) just a couple of days ago.”

UNC senior vice-captain Elizabeth Stephens scored two goals. When she scored on an open shot in front of the net, it seemed as if she had just capped a terrific career, but Stephens could not dwell on that after the game.

“When you think about games, especially the last game that you play, you think ‘It’d be amazing to score goals,’” Stephens said. “But at the end of the day after a loss like that it’s kind of hard to think about that. You’re thinking about your teammates at the end.”

Another finals loss to Maryland is certainly deflating for this Tar Heels squad, but Shelton felt, save for those four minutes, her team played as she expected.

“While we didn’t win it today, we still hold our heads high and we can go on and try again,” Shelton said. “We live for another day. … They really gave everything they possibly had.”

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.