University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Albany
Tar Heels Shut Out Albany, 4-0
September 24, 2006 | Field Hockey
Sept. 24, 2006
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The North Carolina field hockey team earned its third shutout win of the year and broke a string of three consecutive losses with a 4-0 victory against Albany Sunday afternoon at Francis E. Henry Stadium. The Tar Heels are now 7-3 on the season, as are the Great Danes, who had won five in a row coming into Sunday's matchup.
"I felt like Albany was a very dangerous team to play at a dangerous time for our team," said UNC coach Karen Shelton, whose team had lost to Old Dominion, Virginia and Duke in its most recent games. "We could have had a letdown after a disappointing and emotional loss against Duke yesterday and Albany is a very talented team that has demonstrated the ability to beat quality teams on the road and at home. Thankfully the girls responded with intensity and heart and passion and came out strong."
UNC drew a penalty corner within the first 90 seconds of the game, but didn't score until 19 minutes in. At that point, though, the Tar Heels came up with three goals within a four-minute span. Junior Liz Morris scored first, on the rebound of a saved shot with 15:35 remaining on the first half clock. Just over a minute later, Morris sent the ball into the circle after a penalty corner attempt. Senior Karen Mann picked up the pass near the goal and sent it past Albany goalkeeper Ashley Ross to put UNC up 2-0. With 11:50 remaining in the half, freshman Danielle Forward put back another save by Ross to give Carolina a 3-0 lead.
The Tar Heels' fourth goal came early in the second half, when sophomore Britt van Beek scored her first goal of the season on an unassisted shot. "I challenged the team to get something in the first two minutes of the game, which they did in drawing a penalty corner, and I challenged them again at halftime to get something in the first five minutes of the second half and they got a goal in the first two," Shelton said. "So I'm pleased with the team. Everybody got a chance to play, everyone contributed. I felt like we had a bright spot in Melanie Brill, who came in and gave us good energy. We're moving some people around, showing a little big more versatility, and we're continuing to grow as a team. I think that's all I can ask of this group right now."
UNC finished the game with 22 shots, 15 of them in the first half, to three by the Great Danes. Albany did not draw a penalty corner in the game.
The Tar Heels play the first of three home games in five days when Appalachian State visits on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest. No. 2 Wake Forest comes to Henry Staduim for an ACC matchup on Saturday, and No. 17 William and Mary visits Sunday.
No. 5 North Carolina 4, Albany 0
Scoring: UNC - Liz Morris, 19:25; UNC - Karen Mann (Morris), 20:51; UNC - Danielle Forword, 23:10; UNC - Britt van Beek, 36:26
Shots: UNC 22, Albany 3
Penalty corners: UNC 12, Albany 0
Goalkeeper saves: UNC (Brianna O'Donnell) 0, Albany (Ashley Ross) 6
Records: UNC 7-3, Albany 7-3
UNC starters: Illse Davids, Riley Foster, Brooke Miller, Heather Kendell, Britt van Beek, Jesse Gey, Ashley Judge, Karen Mann, Xan Funk, Danielle Forword, Brianna O'Donnell
UNC substitutes: Stewi Downer, Alli Tanner, Melanie Brill, Kate School, Hilary Hartman, Kate Howard, Liz Morris
