Tar Heels Move To 2-0 With Win Over No. 20 Iowa

Sunday, August 31

Chapel Hill, N.C.

11:30 AM

North Carolina

Iowa (ACC-Big Ten Challenge)

August 31, 2014 | Field Hockey

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Second-ranked North Carolina improved to 2-0 in the young field hockey season with a 4-1 win over No. 20 Iowa Sunday afternoon at Francis E. Henry Stadium. For the second day in a row, the Tar Heels spread their scoring around, with each goal coming from a different player.

"I'm absolutely thrilled we were able to get two big wins in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "We love this event, and really enjoyed hosting Wake Forest, Iowa and Michigan this weekend to kick off the season."

Senior Loren Shealy opened the scoring just 21 seconds into the match, giving the Tar Heels an early 1-0 advantage. In the fourth minute, on the team's first penalty corner of the game, senior Charlotte Craddock increased the lead to 2-0 on a hard shot from the top of the circle. Shealy and junior Emily Wold assisted on the play.

" I just can't say enough about that early goal," Shelton said. "I can't remember ever scoring a goal in 21 seconds - that's pretty darned quick. And then we got another one right after it. We're really proud of the team for starting out so quickly both days. We're using speed and strength and skill to do that, and I'm pleased with that part of our game. "

In the 28th minute, on a penalty corner, senior Samantha Travers took the initial shot, which was saved by Hawkeye goalkeeper Alexandra Pecora. Junior Emma Bozek gathered the rebound and put it back for her second goal of the season and UNC's third of the day.

Carolina's fourth goal came under similar circumstances, on the team's next penalty corner. After Travers' initial shot was saved, sophomore Rachel Black grabbed the rebound on the left side and sent it in for the first goal of her UNC career, putting UNC up 4-0 at halftime.

In the 62nd minute of play, Iowa got on the board with a goal from junior Natalie Cafone. She carried the ball into the circle and sent a shot around UNC keeper Sassi Ammer that edge just inside the right post.

Next up for the Tar Heels is the first road trip of the season. UNC plays at Maryland on Friday in what is now a nonconference game as the Terrapins play their first season in the Big Ten. On Sunday, Carolina travels to play at Delaware.

UNC's next home game is on Sept. 12 against Syracuse. Game time for Carolina's ACC opener is 5 p.m. at Henry Stadium.

No. 2 UNC 4, No. 20 Iowa 1

Scoring: UNC - Loren Shealy, 0:21; UNC - Charlotte Craddock (Loren Shealy, Emily Wold), 3:39; UNC - Emma Bozek, 27:01; UNC - Rachel Black, 31:22; Iowa - Natalie Cafone, 61:27

Shots: UNC 26 (15/11); Iowa 10 (5/5)

Penalty corners: UNC 11 (6/5); Iowa 2 (2/0

Saves: UNC 6 (Shannon Johnson, 35:00, 2 saves, 0 goals allowed; Sassi Ammer, 35:00, 4 saves, 1 goal allowed); Iowa 13 (Alexandra Pecora, 70:00, 12 saves, 4 goals allowed)

Defensive saves: Iowa - Dani Hemeon

Records: UNC 2-0, Iowa 1-1

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