University of North Carolina Athletics
Feline Guenther
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
GoHeels Exclusive: Guenther's Strong Second Half, Olympic Sports Notes
November 3, 2017 | Field Hockey, Featured Writers
by Pat James
For most of the first half, the North Carolina field hockey team seemed in control during Thursday's ACC Championship first-round game against Wake Forest.
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Ashley Hoffman scored in the fifth minute, handing UNC, the No. 5 seed in the tournament, a 1-0 lead. And it held that edge for about 30 minutes. But with 23 seconds remaining until halftime, the Demon Deacons, the No. 4 seed, tied the match when they scored on their fourth straight penalty corner.
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The goal could have derailed the Tar Heels. However, Feline Guenther ensured it didn't.
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In the 47th minute, her shot from the right side deflected off a Wake Forest player and into the cage. The goal, Guenther's fourth over the last six games, ultimately proved to be the game-winner in UNC's 3-2 victory at Louisville's Trager Stadium.
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Ten minutes later, Guenther carried the ball into the circle again. This time, she passed it toward a group of players in front of the cage, where Marissa Creatore scored to extend the Tar Heels' lead to 3-1.
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Creatore's goal became even more crucial when the Demon Deacons scored on another penalty corner in the 65th minute. But behind Guenther's second-half play, UNC advanced to Friday's semifinals, where it will face top-seeded Virginia at noon.
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Koenen keeps cruising
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After scoring in double figures just twice through her first 25 games with the women's basketball team, Taylor Koenen accomplished that feat in four of the last six games last season. She averaged 11.2 points and 6.7 rebounds during that span.
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And in the Tar Heels' 84-62 exhibition victory over Wingate on Wednesday at Carmichael Arena, the sophomore carried over her end-of-season momentum, recording 19 points and five rebounds in a game-high 36 minutes.
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Koenen went 8-for-14 from the field and led UNC in 3-pointers, making 3-of-4 attempts. Defensively, she added four steals and blocked a shot.
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Sanford stays hot
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Alle Sanford entered the Oracle ITA National Fall Championship with a 9-1 record since suffering the first singles defeat of her collegiate career in her second match.
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And through her first two matches in the tournament, she's sustained her success.
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Sanford, seeded No. 5 in the Main Draw, defeated No. 39 Petra Granic of Texas, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, in Wednesday's first round. She then won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, over No. 75 Olivia Hauger of California on Thursday.
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With her wins, Sanford improved to 12-2 in singles play this fall, highlighted by her run to the Oracle ITA Masters title in September. She'll face Miami's Estela Perez-Somarriba, the No. 9 seed and nation's No. 11 singles player, in a Round of 16 match on Friday.
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Ashley Hoffman scored in the fifth minute, handing UNC, the No. 5 seed in the tournament, a 1-0 lead. And it held that edge for about 30 minutes. But with 23 seconds remaining until halftime, the Demon Deacons, the No. 4 seed, tied the match when they scored on their fourth straight penalty corner.
Â
The goal could have derailed the Tar Heels. However, Feline Guenther ensured it didn't.
Â
In the 47th minute, her shot from the right side deflected off a Wake Forest player and into the cage. The goal, Guenther's fourth over the last six games, ultimately proved to be the game-winner in UNC's 3-2 victory at Louisville's Trager Stadium.
Â
Ten minutes later, Guenther carried the ball into the circle again. This time, she passed it toward a group of players in front of the cage, where Marissa Creatore scored to extend the Tar Heels' lead to 3-1.
Â
Creatore's goal became even more crucial when the Demon Deacons scored on another penalty corner in the 65th minute. But behind Guenther's second-half play, UNC advanced to Friday's semifinals, where it will face top-seeded Virginia at noon.
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Koenen keeps cruising
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After scoring in double figures just twice through her first 25 games with the women's basketball team, Taylor Koenen accomplished that feat in four of the last six games last season. She averaged 11.2 points and 6.7 rebounds during that span.
Â
And in the Tar Heels' 84-62 exhibition victory over Wingate on Wednesday at Carmichael Arena, the sophomore carried over her end-of-season momentum, recording 19 points and five rebounds in a game-high 36 minutes.
Â
Koenen went 8-for-14 from the field and led UNC in 3-pointers, making 3-of-4 attempts. Defensively, she added four steals and blocked a shot.
Â
Sanford stays hot
Â
Alle Sanford entered the Oracle ITA National Fall Championship with a 9-1 record since suffering the first singles defeat of her collegiate career in her second match.
Â
And through her first two matches in the tournament, she's sustained her success.
Â
Sanford, seeded No. 5 in the Main Draw, defeated No. 39 Petra Granic of Texas, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, in Wednesday's first round. She then won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1, over No. 75 Olivia Hauger of California on Thursday.
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With her wins, Sanford improved to 12-2 in singles play this fall, highlighted by her run to the Oracle ITA Masters title in September. She'll face Miami's Estela Perez-Somarriba, the No. 9 seed and nation's No. 11 singles player, in a Round of 16 match on Friday.
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