University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Duke
UNC Falls To No. 13 Duke In Shootout
September 28, 2013 | Field Hockey
The loss was UNC's first in regular-season ACC play since 2010 and the first time the Tar Heels have fallen at home since 2011.
"Obviously we're disappointed not to get the outcome that we wanted," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "I thought it was a tremendous crowd - great energy here at Henry Stadium. I'm really proud of our Tar Heels for the effort - that was a long, hard-fought game.
"We had plenty of chances but credit goes to Duke's goalie. I thought Lauren Blazing was outstanding today. Twenty-two saves on the day - that's an impressive statistic."
With the score tied 2-2 following 70 minutes of regulation and two 15-minute overtime periods, the teams went to a shootout format, with five players from each team alternating shots. After each team made its first three, Duke's Blazing stopped UNC's fourth attempt, by senior Rachel Magerman. The Blue Devils were good on all five to clinch the 5-4 advantage and the win.
On a cool evening at Henry Stadium, playing before a large and vocal crowd, Carolina jumped out to an early lead on a penalty stroke by senior Marta Malmberg in the ninth minute of play. The Tar Heels made it 2-0 in the 30th minute when junior Samantha Travers scored on a penalty corner shot, assisted by senior Sinead Loughran.
Less than two minutes later, in the 32nd minute, Duke senior Devon Gagliardi got her team on the board, deflecting in a ball from junior Jessica Buttinger.
UNC led 14-5 in shots in the first half, but the second half was much more even, with the Tar Heels taking nine shots to Duke's five and the Blue Devils drawing five corners to UNC's three. Still, the score remained 2-1 until the closing minutes of regulation. With just 1:15 on the clock, Buttinger sent a shot at the Carolina cage. Although junior keeper Sassi Ammer got a hand on it, she wasn't able to clear it away and it bounced off her and into the goal to tie the score at 2-2.
In overtime, UNC outshot Duke 14-2 overall and 9-0 in the second overtime, but neither team was able to capitalize on opportunities, sending the game into a shootout.
"Duke fought hard and I thought it was a great game," Shelton said. "I think both teams take away from this ... they just take a way the W, and that makes me disappointed."
Carolina has more than a week before its next game. The Tar Heels host Maryland Oct. 5 in another ACC battle then take on California on Oct. 6, also at home.
No. 13 Duke 3, No. 1 UNC 2 (2OT, PS)
Scoring: UNC - Marta Malmberg (penalty stroke), 8:30; UNC - Samantha Travers (Sinead Loughran), 29:36; DU - Devon Gagliardi (Jessica Buttinger), 31:24; DU - Buttinger, 68:45; DU - Shootout (5-4)
Shootout: UNC - Di Nardo, good; DU - Le Marchand, good; UNC - Wold, good; DU - Beltrani, good; UNC - Bozek, good; DU - Morris, good; UNC - Magerman, saved; DU - Seaborn, good; UNC - Craddock, good; DU - Heimbach, good. Duke wins 5-4
Shots: UNC 37 (14/9/5/9), Duke 12 (5/5/2/0)
Penalty corners: UNC 10 (4/3/1/2), Duke 6 (1/5/0/0)
Goalkeeper saves: UNC 6 (Sassi Ammer, 100:00, 2 goals allowed, 6 saves); DU 22 (Lauren Blazing, 100:00, 2 goals allowed, 22 saves)
Defensive saves: UNC 1 (Meghan Drake), DU 0
Records: UNC 8-1 (1-1 ACC), Duke 6-3 (1-0 ACC)
UNC starters: Sassi Ammer, Loren Shealy, Kristy Bernatchez, Samantha Travers, Charlotte Craddock, Meghan Drake, Emily Wold, Nina Notman, Emma Bozek, Abby Frey, Janne Grove
UNC substitutes: Rachel Magerman, Sinead Loughran, Julia Young, Lauren Moyer, Casey Di Nardo, Marta Malmberg
