On Friday, the undefeated No. 1 UNC field hockey (17-0, 6-0 ACC) team captured its 25th ACC Championship as it defeated No. 5 Virginia (13-7, 3-3 ACC), 3-2, in the ACC Championship final.
What happened?
A defensively charged quarter began without a single shot from either team through the first ten minutes of play until first-year forward and midfielder Ryleigh Heck drew a penalty corner with just over 5 minutes to play in the first quarter.
Senior forward Erin Matson attempted a shot off the penalty corner which was blocked by Virginia and then rebounded by sophomore midfielder Lisa Slinkert who shot and scored the Tar Heels’ first goal of the afternoon, giving them a 1-0 advantage to end the first.
Despite converting on their first penalty corner, the Tar Heels failed to convert on their subsequent three corners in the second quarter. The Tar Heels continued their aggressive attack, fueling their offense through penalty corners as Heck scored UNC’s second goal of the half on a corner off an assist from first-year midfielder and back Sietske Brüning.
UNC’s defense constricted the Cavaliers throughout the first half, holding Virginia to zero shots at the break. In comparison, the Tar Heels put up nine shots in the first half, four of which were on goal.
UNC went into the break boasting a 2-0 advantage, returning to their usual offensive preeminence after an unusual scoreless first half in the team’s semi-final win over Syracuse on Wednesday.
The Cavaliers quickly put up their first shot of the contest early in the third quarter.
As the Tar Heels’ offense slowed in the second half, the Cavaliers’ ramped up. Virginia opened the fourth quarter with a goal, narrowing the UNC lead to just one and putting game pressure on the Tar Heels.
