University of North Carolina Athletics
The Tar Heels celebrated earning a trip to the final four.
GoHeels Exclusive: Moving On
November 13, 2018 | Field Hockey, Featured Writers
By Pat James, GoHeels.com
Seventy-eight days after embarking on this expectation-filled season, the North Carolina field hockey team found itself where it all began, playing the same opponent.
On Aug. 25, UNC defeated Michigan 5-1 in the first game at Karen Shelton Stadium. Sixteen more wins followed in an undefeated regular season, the Tar Heels' first since 2007 and the third in school history. They then earned the program's 21st ACC title before opening the NCAA Tournament with a 4-0 win over William & Mary on Friday.
But despite everything that's unfolded over the last two and a half months, Carolina entered Sunday looking to cap its first home season at Shelton Stadium with another victory over the Wolverines. This time, though, the winner would advance to the NCAA final four.
Shelton has said over the years how the hardest game to win is the one that gets you to the final four. She reiterated that again Sunday. Still, in perhaps the stiffest test this team has faced all season, UNC edged Michigan 5-2, sending it to the national semifinals for the 10th straight year.
"They fought and scratched and threw themselves into that game like I've never seen" said Shelton of the Wolverines. "It was everything we could do to hang on – I know the scoreline won't reflect how hard they played and how well they worked together. They intercepted a thousand balls today, it seemed like. Thankfully, our defense bent a little but we didn't crack.
"It could have very easily gone the other way. I'm just so proud of our Tar Heels for hanging on and scoring when they had the opportunity."
Carolina struck first in the eighth minute, when Malin Evert scored on a penalty corner. About 12 minutes later, Ashley Hoffman scored on another penalty corner in the 20th minute, pushing UNC's lead to 2-0.
Michigan finally answered with its first goal in the 27th minute. But in the last minute of the first half, the Tar Heels earned three straight penalty corners, the last of which Hoffman scored on to hand Carolina a 3-1 lead at halftime.
"It relieved some pressure," said Shelton of Hoffman's second goal. "If it would've been a one-goal game going into the second half, as well as they played, it might've been different."
At the same time, the two-goal halftime deficit forced the Wolverines to play with a sense of desperation that helped them largely control the second half.
Shelton said she told her team at halftime to attack the sides of Michigan's defense, as opposed to the center. The Wolverines didn't allow that, though. They became the aggressors, their players flying around the pitch and intercepting UNC's passes. The Tar Heels registered 14 shots in the first half, but in the first 21 minutes of the second, they didn't attempt any.
Finally, Carolina scored in the 57th minute, when Feline Guenther snagged the rebound after her first shot struck the goalkeeper and then she lofted the ball into the cage. But Michigan responded with a goal less than three minutes later, cutting UNC's lead to 4-2.
The Wolverines' two goals matched the most surrendered by the Tar Heels this season. In the second half alone, Michigan took 12 shots, two more than Carolina had allowed in any game.
Still, UNC's defense stood strong. It continued doing so once the Wolverines pulled their goalkeeper with just over five minutes remaining. And with 1:13 left, Megan DuVernois launched a shot into the back of the empty cage, securing the Tar Heels' spot in Louisville.
"For us this year, not being in the top four would have been a disappointment," Shelton said. "So we're really happy to get there, so we can celebrate with three other good teams. And then one team will be left standing, the team that plays the best."
Seconds after Shelton uttered that sentence, it was announced inside the lobby of UNC's team building that Wake Forest beat Duke in double overtime. The Tar Heels and Demon Deacons will meet for the third time this season on Friday, this time in the national semifinals. With a win, Carolina would face Maryland or Princeton in next Sunday's NCAA championship game.
Among her other sayings, Shelton has often stated how the amounts of good and bad luck that teams have at the final four influence success there. UNC has experienced plenty of both. That's expected when you've played 39 games on college field hockey's biggest stage.
So at this point, all you can ask for is a chance – a chance at a national title, a chance to create more memories, a chance for your seniors to extend their careers. And the Tar Heels now have that.
"Every moment, like when I was singing the alma mater (after Sunday's game), you just think about how this is the last time," said Hoffman, one of Carolina's six seniors. "It's really sad, and I'm going to miss it so much. But I'll miss it after next weekend."
Seventy-eight days after embarking on this expectation-filled season, the North Carolina field hockey team found itself where it all began, playing the same opponent.
On Aug. 25, UNC defeated Michigan 5-1 in the first game at Karen Shelton Stadium. Sixteen more wins followed in an undefeated regular season, the Tar Heels' first since 2007 and the third in school history. They then earned the program's 21st ACC title before opening the NCAA Tournament with a 4-0 win over William & Mary on Friday.
But despite everything that's unfolded over the last two and a half months, Carolina entered Sunday looking to cap its first home season at Shelton Stadium with another victory over the Wolverines. This time, though, the winner would advance to the NCAA final four.
Shelton has said over the years how the hardest game to win is the one that gets you to the final four. She reiterated that again Sunday. Still, in perhaps the stiffest test this team has faced all season, UNC edged Michigan 5-2, sending it to the national semifinals for the 10th straight year.
"They fought and scratched and threw themselves into that game like I've never seen" said Shelton of the Wolverines. "It was everything we could do to hang on – I know the scoreline won't reflect how hard they played and how well they worked together. They intercepted a thousand balls today, it seemed like. Thankfully, our defense bent a little but we didn't crack.
"It could have very easily gone the other way. I'm just so proud of our Tar Heels for hanging on and scoring when they had the opportunity."
Carolina struck first in the eighth minute, when Malin Evert scored on a penalty corner. About 12 minutes later, Ashley Hoffman scored on another penalty corner in the 20th minute, pushing UNC's lead to 2-0.
Michigan finally answered with its first goal in the 27th minute. But in the last minute of the first half, the Tar Heels earned three straight penalty corners, the last of which Hoffman scored on to hand Carolina a 3-1 lead at halftime.
"It relieved some pressure," said Shelton of Hoffman's second goal. "If it would've been a one-goal game going into the second half, as well as they played, it might've been different."
At the same time, the two-goal halftime deficit forced the Wolverines to play with a sense of desperation that helped them largely control the second half.
Shelton said she told her team at halftime to attack the sides of Michigan's defense, as opposed to the center. The Wolverines didn't allow that, though. They became the aggressors, their players flying around the pitch and intercepting UNC's passes. The Tar Heels registered 14 shots in the first half, but in the first 21 minutes of the second, they didn't attempt any.
Finally, Carolina scored in the 57th minute, when Feline Guenther snagged the rebound after her first shot struck the goalkeeper and then she lofted the ball into the cage. But Michigan responded with a goal less than three minutes later, cutting UNC's lead to 4-2.
The Wolverines' two goals matched the most surrendered by the Tar Heels this season. In the second half alone, Michigan took 12 shots, two more than Carolina had allowed in any game.
Still, UNC's defense stood strong. It continued doing so once the Wolverines pulled their goalkeeper with just over five minutes remaining. And with 1:13 left, Megan DuVernois launched a shot into the back of the empty cage, securing the Tar Heels' spot in Louisville.
"For us this year, not being in the top four would have been a disappointment," Shelton said. "So we're really happy to get there, so we can celebrate with three other good teams. And then one team will be left standing, the team that plays the best."
Seconds after Shelton uttered that sentence, it was announced inside the lobby of UNC's team building that Wake Forest beat Duke in double overtime. The Tar Heels and Demon Deacons will meet for the third time this season on Friday, this time in the national semifinals. With a win, Carolina would face Maryland or Princeton in next Sunday's NCAA championship game.
Among her other sayings, Shelton has often stated how the amounts of good and bad luck that teams have at the final four influence success there. UNC has experienced plenty of both. That's expected when you've played 39 games on college field hockey's biggest stage.
So at this point, all you can ask for is a chance – a chance at a national title, a chance to create more memories, a chance for your seniors to extend their careers. And the Tar Heels now have that.
"Every moment, like when I was singing the alma mater (after Sunday's game), you just think about how this is the last time," said Hoffman, one of Carolina's six seniors. "It's really sad, and I'm going to miss it so much. But I'll miss it after next weekend."
Players Mentioned
Forward/Midfield
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Midfield/Forward
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Midfield
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Midfield/Back
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