University of North Carolina Athletics
Samantha Leshnak recorded her 13th shutout of the season in Friday's 1-0 win over Colorado.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Leshnak continues impressive play, helps Tar Heels to Sweet 16
November 18, 2017 | Women's Soccer, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
CARY, N.C. – Perhaps as much as its 22 national championships or association with the U.S. national team, a goalkeeper rotation has historically been a part of the North Carolina women's soccer program.
But that wasn't the case last season, when Lindsey Harris started 24 of 25 games. Samantha Leshnak started one, a 2-0 win over Villanova on Sept. 4, 2016, but she only appeared in three others. She finished with three saves in 74 minutes, 37 seconds of playing time.
That and one game as a freshman are all Leshnak had to build off as she entered this season as UNC's starting goalkeeper. But in 21 matches, she's flourished.
In the latest, a 1-0 win over Colorado on Friday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Leshnak recorded three saves in her fourth straight shutout. Her 13 solo clean sheets are the third most by a Tar Heel in a single season, behind Aly Winget's 16 in 2003 and Anna Rodenbough's 15 in 2006.
"For her to be where she is right now as a goalkeeper is to her credit," said Anson Dorrance of Leshnak. "And I also want to credit Chris Ducar, who does a great job with my goalkeeping. Sam has been very, very solid."
Leshnak allowed six goals in the first six games of the season. But since then, she's surrendered only four over the past 15.
Much of that has resulted from stout defensive play by UNC (17-2-2). Entering Friday, opponents were averaging just 6.1 shots in the Tar Heels' 10 matches since the start of October. Leshnak was forced to make more than two saves in only one of those games – a 1-1 draw against Notre Dame on Oct. 26, when she tallied three saves.
In Sunday's 3-0 win over High Point in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Panthers registered zero shots, marking the first time the Tar Heels didn't allow a shot since a 1-0 win over Syracuse on October 17, 2013. But Leshnak remained engaged.
"My team prepares me in practice," she said. "They give me their best, and I give them my best … The emphasis is on my team because I can't turn off for them and they're not going to turn off for me."
Leshnak couldn't be complacent early on in Friday's match, as Colorado's Marty Puketapu attempted the team's first shot in just the fourth minute. But Leshnak made a diving save.
The Buffaloes (12-6-4) managed two more shots in the first half. Neither was on goal. And after UNC outshot Colorado 11-3 en route to a 1-0 halftime lead, the second half proved to be far more even, with both teams taking eight shots.
Still, Leshnak stayed poised. She made saves on the Buffaloes' two shots on goal and punched away two dangerous crosses to help the Tar Heels advance to the third round of the NCAA Tournament, where they'll face 13th-ranked Princeton at 1 p.m. Sunday at WakeMed Soccer Park.
"Her energy is always contagious," said Bridgette Andrzejewski, whose goal in the 26th minute proved to be the difference. "Even when she's not getting shots, she's telling her defense what to do, she's always finding a way to get herself involved. I feel like that's made her pay attention and made her be ready for these games."
But Leshnak still has room for improvement. Twice Friday, she rolled the ball out to a tightly defended teammate instead of punting it downfield. On one occasion, a Colorado player stole the ball and quickly fired a shot. Leshnak made the save.
"When she drifts off script and decides we're Barcelona, that's when we run into some problems," Dorrance said. "Fortunately, in this game, she thought we were Barcelona only twice."
And thus, her shutout streak continued.
CARY, N.C. – Perhaps as much as its 22 national championships or association with the U.S. national team, a goalkeeper rotation has historically been a part of the North Carolina women's soccer program.
But that wasn't the case last season, when Lindsey Harris started 24 of 25 games. Samantha Leshnak started one, a 2-0 win over Villanova on Sept. 4, 2016, but she only appeared in three others. She finished with three saves in 74 minutes, 37 seconds of playing time.
That and one game as a freshman are all Leshnak had to build off as she entered this season as UNC's starting goalkeeper. But in 21 matches, she's flourished.
In the latest, a 1-0 win over Colorado on Friday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, Leshnak recorded three saves in her fourth straight shutout. Her 13 solo clean sheets are the third most by a Tar Heel in a single season, behind Aly Winget's 16 in 2003 and Anna Rodenbough's 15 in 2006.
"For her to be where she is right now as a goalkeeper is to her credit," said Anson Dorrance of Leshnak. "And I also want to credit Chris Ducar, who does a great job with my goalkeeping. Sam has been very, very solid."
Leshnak allowed six goals in the first six games of the season. But since then, she's surrendered only four over the past 15.
Much of that has resulted from stout defensive play by UNC (17-2-2). Entering Friday, opponents were averaging just 6.1 shots in the Tar Heels' 10 matches since the start of October. Leshnak was forced to make more than two saves in only one of those games – a 1-1 draw against Notre Dame on Oct. 26, when she tallied three saves.
In Sunday's 3-0 win over High Point in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Panthers registered zero shots, marking the first time the Tar Heels didn't allow a shot since a 1-0 win over Syracuse on October 17, 2013. But Leshnak remained engaged.
"My team prepares me in practice," she said. "They give me their best, and I give them my best … The emphasis is on my team because I can't turn off for them and they're not going to turn off for me."
Leshnak couldn't be complacent early on in Friday's match, as Colorado's Marty Puketapu attempted the team's first shot in just the fourth minute. But Leshnak made a diving save.
The Buffaloes (12-6-4) managed two more shots in the first half. Neither was on goal. And after UNC outshot Colorado 11-3 en route to a 1-0 halftime lead, the second half proved to be far more even, with both teams taking eight shots.
Still, Leshnak stayed poised. She made saves on the Buffaloes' two shots on goal and punched away two dangerous crosses to help the Tar Heels advance to the third round of the NCAA Tournament, where they'll face 13th-ranked Princeton at 1 p.m. Sunday at WakeMed Soccer Park.
"Her energy is always contagious," said Bridgette Andrzejewski, whose goal in the 26th minute proved to be the difference. "Even when she's not getting shots, she's telling her defense what to do, she's always finding a way to get herself involved. I feel like that's made her pay attention and made her be ready for these games."
But Leshnak still has room for improvement. Twice Friday, she rolled the ball out to a tightly defended teammate instead of punting it downfield. On one occasion, a Colorado player stole the ball and quickly fired a shot. Leshnak made the save.
"When she drifts off script and decides we're Barcelona, that's when we run into some problems," Dorrance said. "Fortunately, in this game, she thought we were Barcelona only twice."
And thus, her shutout streak continued.
Players Mentioned
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