Transfer Avery Donahue scores 'crucial goal' against Duke to secure regular season title

DURHAM — Avery Donahue has never had this much water in her life. 

After transferring from Harvard to North Carolina to play field hockey, the graduate forward found the preseason workouts and the humid climate they occurred in unfamiliar. 

“It was definitely really intense,” Donahue said. “Like, super hot.”

Used to playing in the cooler, northern climates, Donahue had to adjust to playing in the summer heat of the southeast. It's safe to say she's adapted quite well. 

During Friday night’s 5-2 victory against the No. 6 Duke Blue Devils, Donahue scored what junior forward Ryleigh Heck called a “crucial” goal to put the No. 2 Tar Heels up 2-0 and one step closer to winning the ACC regular season title with an undefeated record. A testament to her hard work and preparation, the goal serves as a culmination of the effort she has put in as a transfer.

Along with the climate, part of Donahue's transition has consisted of familiarizing herself with old rivals. 

“We were enemies growing up,” Heck said. 

While they did not know each other personally, the two players were a part of a feud started on the high school field. 

Both natives of New Jersey, Donahue attended the Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child. Heck attended Eastern. Whenever the two rival schools would face each other, Heck said Donahue always stood out. 

According to Heck, Donahue was one of the best players on the high school team. 

When Heck found out that they would both be playing for UNC four years later, she knew that North Carolina gained something special. 

“She's just a top player,” Heck said. “Obviously, she belongs on a D1 field."

Out of high school, Donahue played field hockey at Harvard for four years, starting for three seasons and recording nine total goals. When she decided to transfer, she looked at a few different programs to find the best fit. 

None of them stood out like North Carolina. 

In the portal, head coach Erin Matson knew Donahue was more than just a player with good skill. She also noticed her personality and how well she meshed with the team. 

“One thing [Matson] said was, ‘I know you'll only be here for a year and on the team for three months, but you're going to be a Tar Heel for life,’” Donahue said. 

The graduate is determined to make these three months last. 

Although the first few days were action-packed with extreme workouts and high heats, Donahue thrived off of the intensity. She knew she had to match the energy and keep going if she wanted to keep up.

So, when Donahue received the ball in the circle against Duke, Matson knew she was going to score. Heck attempted a shot, which ricocheted off the goalkeeper and landed in front of Donahue. She took a swing and launched the ball into the back of the net. 

“You can just tell when someone gets over a ball and owns it and has that kind of aura about them in the circle, and in that way she did,” Matson said. “She had confidence in herself.” 

This confidence has been building all season. Sweaty practices and in-state rivalries have helped make Donahue into the person and player she is today, and the work is finally showing up on the scorecards. 

“We knew she would add value,” Matson said. “And she very much is.” 

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