University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
(18-2)
Syracuse (ACC Championship final)
(17-1)
Tar Heels Earn Program's 19th ACC Crown
November 8, 2015 | Field Hockey
Playing at the University of VIrginia's University Hall Turf Field, the third-seeded Tar Heels improved to 18-2 overall, while Syracuse fell to 17-1.
“I'm very, very happy for the team, and to represent the University of North Carolina with another championship,” said UNC coach Karen Shelton, at the helm for all 19 titles. “It was a great game by two excellent teams. What a hard-fought game and a gritty performance by our team, and their team as well. Both teams had chances to win and we got the one that counted.
“I'm very, very proud of our group. They played their hearts out. I'm delighted for them to have such a thrilling victory and feel what it's like to win a championship.”
Sophomore Gab Major scored the gamewinner in the ninth minute of overtime play. After junior Lauren Moyer's shot was saved, the ball bounced off of the Syracuse keeper and Major put back the rebound to give UNC the win in the team's first overtime contest of the season.
The Tar Heels were playing in their 22nd ACC title game (out of 33 contested). They took the early lead in the 19th minute of play when senior Casey Di Nardo carried the ball into the circle from the left side and shot from the front of the cage, sending a ball through SU keeper Jess Jecko's legs and to the boards to make the score 1-0.
That's where it stood into the second half, but the Tar Heels never got comfortable. “We knew they'd come back – they pride themselves in being a second half team,” Shelton said. “It was toe-to-toe and end-to-end.”
In the 44th minute, Syracuse's Emma Russell was fouled in the circle and SU was awarded a penalty stroke, which Roos Weers made to even the score at 1-1.
The game wound down without another goal, but the scoring opportunities continued even after the regulation 70 minutes ran out. Syracuse received a corner with 20 seconds on the clock, and took it with no time remaining. Johnson saved the first shot, and the second hit just outside the right post. The officials used a video review and then awarded another corner to the Orange. SU got off two more shots, but both were blocked by UNC defenders and freshman back Ashley Hoffman directed the ball out of the circle to end the second half and send the game into overtime.
UNC opened the seven-a-side overtime down a player, while junior defender Kristy Bernatchez served the rest of a five-minute yellow card penalty received with 4:03 to play in the second half.
“We hadn't played overtime at all, we've just done it at practice every week, seven a-side against ourselves, so I wasn't sure what was going to happen,” Shelton said. “And playing the first minute man-down is an even taller task.”
But the Tar Heels survived to get back up to full strength. With 7:25 to play in the 15-minute sudden-death period, the Orange was awarded a penalty stroke after Laura Hurff was fouled in the circle. Weers again stepped up for the stroke, but this time Shannon Johnson, UNC's junior goalkeeper, made a stick save to keep the game going.
“I didn't think about how the game was on the line, I just thought about how it's just a stick and a ball, the same game we play every day, and just to watch the ball, focus on it, and react,” said the junior goalkeeper, who made a season-high eight saves on the day.
Her final one provided a momentum boost for the Tar Heels, who scored less than a minute later. Major's goal was her team-best 17th of the season, and her fifth gamewinner, also a team high.
“Syracuse is such a great team,” said senior midfielder Emily Wold, the team captain and tournament MVP. “To beat them in 7-v-7 after our goalie made an amazing save was just incredible.”
Wold was joined on the ACC All-Tournament team by Johnson, senior midfielder Nina Notman and junior defender Julia Young.
With the ACC's automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament now in hand, UNC awaits word on which team it will face in Saturday's first round game. The NCAA bracket will be announced at 10 p.m. tonight.
“Our season isn't over,” Wold said. “I can't wait to see what's ahead for us.”
No. 3 UNC 2, No. 1 Syracuse 1, OT
Scoring: UNC – Casey Di Nardo, 18:27; SU – Roos Weers (penalty stroke), 43:45; UNC – Gab Major, 78:17
Shots: UNC 14 (7/5/2); SU 22 (9/11/2)
Penalty corners: UNC 3 (3/0/0); SU 7 (4/3/0)
Goalkeeper saves: UNC 8 (Shannon Johnson, 78:17, 1 goal allowed, 8 saves); SU 5 (Jess Jecko, 78:17, 2 goals allowed, 5 saves)
Records: UNC 18-2, SU 17-1
UNC starters: Lauren Moyer, Kristy Bernatchez, Emily Wold, Nina Notman, Ashley Hoffman, Malin Evert, Julia Young, Casey Di Nardo, Eva van't Hoog, Gab Major, Shannon Johnson
UNC subs: Sam Night
Team Stats
Casey Di Nardo (11)
between the legs
18:27
Roos Weers (14)
SU Roos Weers PENALTY STROKE GOAL, goal number 14 for season.
43:45
Gab Major (17)
second chance goal
78:17
