University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Virginia Tech
Career Goal Highs From Hendrick & Hazar Power Tar Heels
March 31, 2016 | Women's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL – Molly Hendrick and Ela Hazar both had career highs for goals in a game and Sammy Jo Tracy notched a career high assist total as third-ranked North Carolina defeated Virginia Tech 15-6 Wednesday night in women's lacrosse action at Fetzer Field.
Hendrick had six goals and added an assist for seven total points while Hazar had four goals and also recorded an assist. Tracy finished with a goal and three assists and Marie McCool notched a pair of goals while adding an assist. Zan Biedenharn led Virginia Tech with two goals while Meghan Macera had a goal and two assists.
The Tar Heels won their sixth game in a row to improve to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in the ACC. Virginia Tech fell to 5-9 overall and 0-4 in the ACC.
"We work on chemistry all year round, and it can be the margin in tough games and stretches of the schedule," said head coach Jenny Levy after the game. "Coming off four road games in a row, it's nice to be home. I think Sammy Jo [Tracy] did a great job on the draw for us, and I see Ela [Hazar]'s confidence growing each game. I'm really excited about Ela and think she's going to get better and better as the season progresses.
"I thought our defense did well in general. I thought we made one mistake and gave up a goal, but my second-team D came in tonight and rocked it. They didn't give up a goal and created two turnovers. I wanted to give a shout out to them."
UNC outshot the Hokies 31-15 and the Tar Heels had a decisive edge in possession time as they won 17 draw controls compared to seven for Virginia Tech. Sammy Jo Tracy had a game high eight draw controls for the Tar Heels.
Caylee Waters played the first half in goal for UNC and made three saves while allowing three goals. Megan Ward played the second half and had four saves and three goals allowed.
Hannah Sieger played the whole way in goal for Virginia Tech. She made eight saves and allowed all 15 Tar Heel goals.
UNC head coach Jenny Levy got to play her roster as 24 players saw action. UNC's defense was active throughout, with 15 caused turnovers led by three from Hendicks. The Hokies committed 22 turnovers compared to 18 for UNC. Twelve of the Tar Heels' turnovers were unforced but UNC compensated for that with a high shooting percentage (15 goals in 23 shots on goal) and an edge in ground balls, led by Tracy's six.
UNC ran out to a quick 4-0 lead midway through the first half. Hendrick scored two goals in the run and Tracy had two assists. After Virginia Tech crept within 4-1, UNC scored six successive goals in a span of 8:46 to take a 10-1 lead with 1:26 left before intermission.
Hendrick scored two goals in that run while four other Tar Heels notched tallies. Virginia Tech responded with three successive goals. When Jessi Thon scored with 24:18 left in the second half, the Tar Heels' lead was trimmed to 10-4.
But Carolina responded with a four-goal run of its own. Ela Hazer had two goals in that streak and her tally with 14:01 left was her fourth of the game and it came off Tracy's third assist.
Carolina improved to 22-0 all-time against the Hokies. The Heels will be back at Fetzer Field on Sunday when they play host to fifth-ranked Notre Dame at 12 noon. The game will be live on the web on GoHeelsTV.
