The No. 1 North Carolina field hockey team clung to an undefeated record for 99 minutes Friday night, but a final shootout goal from Duke’s Paula Heimbach handed UNC its first loss of the season.
North Carolina made four of its five stroke-off shots, the lone miss coming from senior Rachel Magerman. The No. 13 Blue Devils went 5-of-5 in the stroke-off, sealing the win with Heimbach’s final goal.
UNC held a 2-1 lead midway through the second half against No.13 Duke until the Blue Devils’ Jessica Buttinger took a shot to the right of goal keeper Sassi Ammer. It appeared that Ammer made the save, but an awkward rebound sent the ball back in her direction, and it fell behind her and into the goal.
The Tar Heels scored both of their goals in the first half and went into halftime leading Duke 2-1.
Duke’s Devon Gagliardi scored the first goal for the Blue Devils in the closing minutes of the first half.
UNC outshot Duke 37-12, but Duke goalkeeper Lauren Blazing recorded a career-high 22 saves – 10 of them coming in the first half.
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