For the second game in a row, No. 3 UNC was tied after 70 minutes of regulation play. And for the second game in a row, UNC lost in overtime.
Facing No. 1 Maryland at Henry Stadium Saturday, the Tar Heels fought a defensive battle against the Terrapins, with only four shots unleashed between the two teams in the first half.
But with 22:30 remaining in the game, UNC was threatening. Maryland’s goalie was able to make a save on a bouncing shot, but the ball was deflected straight to senior midfielder Marta Malmberg, who buried it into the goal for her third goal of the season.
The Tar Heels were in control of the pace of the game for the majority of the half, but with 9:22 remaining, the Terrapins called the first timeout of the game.
Two minutes later, Maryland’s Jill Witmer poked the ball past UNC goalie Sassi Ammer off of a hard centering feed.
The momentum had quickly shifted, and with 4:03 remaining, Maryland earned a penalty corner.
As the Terrapins set up to take it, sophomore Emily Wold came out of the goal too fast, and was sent to the 50-yard line.
Maryland was unable to capitalize, however, and with regulation expired without further excitement.
With 11:19 left in the first overtime period, UNC freshman Kristy Bernatchez received a yellow card — the Tar Heels’ fourth card of the game — and UNC was man-down for five minutes.
But it took less than that for Witmer to strike again.
The junior received the ball in UNC’s attacking third and quickly made her way upfield. After losing one defender, Witmer and a teammate had a two-on-one advantage. Ammer was forced to step out of the goal, but Witmer swiftly shot the ball into the net — ending the game.
UNC has little time to recover from the game, as the Tar Heels will host California tomorrow at 1 p.m.
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