Sixteen minutes, 57 seconds.
That’s all the time it took for Molly Hendrick of the No. 2 North Carolina women’s lacrosse team to hang four goals on the High Point Panthers on a frigid Friday night, leading the Tar Heels to a dominating 19-5 victory.
Hendrick’s four goals were enough for a career high for the Lancaster, Pa native, but despite her career effort, she deflected praise to her teammates.bio for career high and Lancaster: Hendrick: http://bit.ly/1DuDe5v
“All my teammates were just helping me out,” she said. “It was just fast paced and I think we all just played together.”
Hendrick was part of a strong freshman class for UNC a season ago, one that is looking to take another leap forward in its sophomore campaign. Sophomores accounted for eight goals at Fetzer Field on Friday, and Hendrick said she knows her entire class needs to take its game to the next level this year.
“I think we’re still a good class and everyday we’re trying to get better,” she said. “The upperclassmen are really helping us do that so we’re still learning but it’s an everyday process.”
Whether it was scoring goals off of pinpoint assists from teammates, or simply slicing through defenders on a solo drive to the goal, there was little the Panthers, in just their 5th year as a program, could do to slow down Hendrick, who has gained a lot of confidence since her freshman year.
Coach Jenny Levy said she has been thrilled with Hendrick’s progression, and is looking for even more from her once the schedule gets tougher.
“Molly Hendrick (Friday), was having a night,” she said. “What I really like about what she’s been doing recently, is she’s really engaged. And she’s really taking the right opportunities, and pushing some envelopes that are working out for her. I’m seeing that her confidence is rising. But more so, even than her confidence, is just her IQ of the game. She’s really starting to find a nice rhythm for herself.”
