University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Syracuse (ACC Semifinals)
UNC Falls To Syracuse In ACC Tournament Semis
November 8, 2014 | Field Hockey
“Congratulations to Syracuse for advancing to the championship game,” said UNC coach Karen Shelton. “It was a great game by two excellent teams – very evenly matched.”
“I thought the first half was really close and then in the second half, Syracuse had about 15 minutes where we struggled to get the ball out. That's when they got the tying goal. I don't know whether fatigue was a factor or what was going on there that we couldn't find a way, but we got a little bit better and in overtime we had some chances. In the end they had the final goal. Congratulations to them – I do think it was a great game and I hope the spectators enjoyed it.”
It marked the second year in a row that UNC and Syracuse met in the ACC Tournament semifinals. In 2013, Carolina won 1-0 to advance to the title game, but this time it's Syracuse that will make its first-ever appearance in the championship.
The Orange got on the board first, on a goal in the 16th minute of play. Russell had the goal on a hard shot from mid-circle, assisted by Alyssa Manley.
UNC tied the score late in the first half. In the 29th minute, junior Emma Bozek carried the ball into the circle from the left, eluded a defender then took a shot. Classmate Casey Di Nardo tipped it in from the left post to tie the score at 1-1.
Just before halftime, UNC took the lead. In the 34th minute, on Carolina's second corner of the game, senior Samantha Travers's initial shot was saved, but senior Charlotte Craddock grabbed the rebound in front of the cage and put it back for a 2-1 advantage.
Syracuse tied the score at 2-2 in the 55th minute of play on a penalty corner, the team's fifth of the half. UNC goalkeeper Shannon Johnson saved the initial shot by Lies Lagerweij, but Lieke Visser, positioned near the left post, quickly grabbed the rebound and put it back for the score. UNC didn't manage to draw a corner in the second half and had just three in the game, two in the first half and one in overtime.
The overtime contest was UNC's second in as many days and marked the first time that UNC had ever played two overtime games in the same ACC Tournament. On Thursday, the Tar Heels beat host Duke 2-1 to advance to the semifinals.
UNC managed two shots and a corner in the overtime, but it was Syracuse that came away with the win. Russell's goal, on a hard shot into the upper right of the cage, came in the 78th minute of play and was her sixth in two tournament games so far.
After leading the RPI all season, the Tar Heels are expected to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, which begins on Nov. 15 at campus sites. The bracket will be announced on Sunday at 10 p.m.
“We're very disappointed not to be playing for an ACC championship on Sunday,” Shelton said, ”but we know there are bigger games ahead.”
No. 6 Syracuse 3, No. 1 North Carolina 2, OT
Scoring: SU – Emma Russell (Alyssa Manley), 15:08; UNC – Casey Di Nardo (Emma Bozek), 28:22; UNC – Charlotte Craddock, 33:24; SU – Lieke Visser, 54:23; SU – Russell, 77:50
Shots: UNC 11 (7/2/2), SU 14 (6/7/1)
Penalty corners: UNC 3 (2/0/1), SU 8 (3/5/0)
Goalkeeper saves: UNC 7 (Shannon Johnson, 77:50, 3 goals allowed, 7 saves); SU 7 (Jess Jecko, 77:50, 2 goals allowed, 7 saves)
Records: UNC 17-3, Syracuse 15-4
UNC starters: Shannon Johnson, Loren Shealy, Kristy Bernatchez, Samantha Travers, Charlotte Craddock, Emily Wold, Nina Notman, Emma Bozek, Julia Young, Casey Di Nardo, Abby Frey
UNC substitutes: Sam Night, Lauren Moyer, Gab Major
