University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC-Maryland Postgame Quotes
May 23, 2009 | Women's Lacrosse
May 23, 2009
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UNC Head Coach Jenny Levy
Opening Statement:
"This was a really tight game and it could have gone either way. Maryland is a very good team and they certainly had a great season. We made some really gutsy plays in the second half and we were able to come out of here with a win."
Did you make any tactical adjustments since the last time you played:
"When we played Maryland last month, the game was actually closer than the final score (13-8). We got behind and gambled on defense and they scored some goals at the end. So, we felt we didn't need to make too many changes defensively. Coming into this game, we thought we had to play with discipline on defense and play as a team. We also thought we needed to neutralize their transition game. We also felt we had to do a better job taking care of the ball and not give them any extra possessions."
Were you surprised that Laura Zimmerman scored three goals?
"Laura is a very special freshman. We found out that she was a special player when we went on a team-building exercise in September. She is a very competitive player and a really hard worker in practice. She is always competitive and she has the will to win. So, we weren't really too surprised when she scored three goals tonight."
Whenever Maryland scored tonight, it seemed like your team would come right back and answer. How do you explain that?
"My team is very tough and very competitive. Every one of our players has the will to win. When you head into an NCAA Tournament like this, everyone knows that your best players will do well. But in order to succeed, you need everyone to step up and contribute. When Maryland scored, we didn't get down on ourselves. It just made us more determined to score again."
You played Northwestern in March. What can you take from that game that will help you prepare for Sunday?
"When we played Northwestern in March, it was a very strange situation. We started the game on a Sunday afternoon and it started pouring rain and it was a torrential rain. So, we made plans to resume the game the next day. Well, it snowed the next day and we don't get a lot of snow in North Carolina in March. In order to play the game, the coaching staffs were out on the field helping to shovel the snow away. We wound up playing on a short field. Northwestern was at the end of a long road trip and neither team was sharp. I am sure that both teams are playing better now."
"Obviously, Northwestern is very good and they can score lots of goals. We are going to have our work cut out for us."
What is it that makes Northwestern so good?
"Kelly (Amonte Hiller) has done a great job developing players. That's the number one thing. She has created a very unique style where they pressure you all over the field. It's very different style and takes some adjusting."
"Another reason they have won so much is because of their tremendous stickwork. They spend a lot of time working on their stickwork and it has made them excel at draw controls."
"Their offensive execution is very sharp. Every time they lose some key people to graduation, she comes up with some new players and plugs them into her system. What Kelly has done at Northwestern is very impressive. She has raised the standard for the rest of us in women's lacrosse."
"We are very excited about the opportunity we have on Sunday."
#13 - Sr. Defender Amber Falcone
What do you think about the challenge that Northwestern presents?
"Northwestern is like Maryland in a number of ways. Both teams have a lot of good players and both teams can score a lot of goals. In order to beat Northwestern, we have to play well as a team again, especially on the defensive end of the field."
#1 - Fr. Attack Laura Zimmerman
How did it feel to score three goals in the national semi-finals?
"This whole experience is very exciting to me. It's a thrill to be playing for a team that is playing for the national championship. We have been working hard all year and it paid off for all of us tonight. We just want to keep it going on Sunday."
#2 - Jr. Midfield Megan Bosica
How do you feel about playing Northwestern?
"I am sure it's going to be a very different type of game than the one we played in March. It was an unusual situation for both teams and neither team played its best. We are looking forward to playing them on Sunday because we are a much better team than we were when they saw us in March. This has been a great road so far, starting with the win over Towson and beating Notre Dame. Then, we get to keep playing because we won tonight."
Since you're from Ellicott City and played at Mount Hebron, did it feel special beating Maryland?
"It was really great to have so many friends and family members here tonight, cheering me on. I know a lot of the players on their team and Maryland was one of the schools that recruited me."
"When we played them last month, it didn't feel good losing to them. But, this feels much better. I am so glad that we won this game. So, I guess it did feel special to beat them here."
