Tar Heels Stand Tough in 3-2 Home Turf Win Over No. 17 Liberty

Sunday, October 20

Chapel Hill

1:00 PM

North Carolina

(14-0)

Liberty

(9-4)

Liberty

North Carolina

Madison Orobono and the Tar Heels won 3-2 Sunday against Liberty.

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Tar Heels Stand Tough in 3-2 Home Turf Win Over No. 17 Liberty

October 20, 2019 | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score

By: Dana Gelin

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – A goal and an assist from sophomore Erin Matson and goals from seniors Marissa Creatore and Megan DuVernois helped the top-ranked North Carolina field hockey team beat No. 17 Liberty 3-2 Sunday at Karen Shelton Stadium. On a chilly, overcast afternoon at the close of the University's fall break, UNC improved to 14-0 overall, while Liberty fell to 9-4.

It was Carolina's 37th consecutive win, extending the Atlantic Coast Conference record the Tar Heels set last Friday with a victory at Wake Forest, and also kicked off a four-game homestand to close the regular season. Next up is UNC's final ACC game, Friday (Oct. 25) against No. 11 Boston College at Shelton Stadium. The Eagles will be UNC's 11^th ranked opponent in 15 games this fall.

"I'm proud of our team for earning a win against an energetic and well-coached Liberty team," UNC coach Karen Shelton said.

It was close until the final whistle, but we came away with another Carolina Victory! pic.twitter.com/vASHlzbIdV — UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) October 20, 2019

DuVernois opened the Tar Heels' scoring Sunday just three minutes into the action with the Tar Heels' only shot of the first period, a penalty stroke that turned out to be the gamewinner. She sent her shot into the upper left corner of the cage to improve to 2-for-2 on strokes this fall.

UNC took a 2-0 in the 26^th minute of play on a second penalty stroke, this one successfully converted by Matson for her 22^nd goal this fall.

The Flames got on the board less than two minutes after halftime. UNC keeper Amanda Hendry saved a shot by Liberty's Daniella Rhodes, but the rebound bounced out to the Flames' Charlotte Vaanhold, who buried her shot to make it a 2-1 game.

Just over two minutes later the Tar Heels again earned a two-goal cushion, scoring from the field for the only time all afternoon. Matson drew the defense to her on the left baseline, then passed to Creatore in front of the cage for the score. It was the 12^th goal of the fall for Creatore and the 13^th assist for Matson, who now leads the team in both goals and assists.

"She's the leading scorer but she's also our best passer," Shelton said of Matson. "She has that great vision and great skills for delivery, and she delivered a beautiful pass, beat the goalkeeper and made it easy for Reese [Marissa] to put it away."

Creatore saw the play the same way. "Erin is an incredible passer," said the senior captain, who scored two goals on Matson assists Friday against Wake Forest. "I'm always expecting a great pass from her, and that's what she delivered."

Liberty again closed the gap to one on a penalty stroke in the 44^th minute. Alivia Klopp's goal came on her team's first penalty stroke attempt of the season and made the score 3-2 heading into the fourth quarter. The Flames did not manage to get off another shot, however, and the Tar Heels held on for the win.

UNC tallied 16 shots, 11 on goal, to Liberty's seven. The Tar Heels finished with eight penalty corners, five of them in the third period. LU had four, three of which came in the first period.

Liberty goalkeeper Allison Schaefer, who came in averaging 1.75 saves per game, finished with eight to keep her team close.

"We had our chances and I think that happened in the Wake game, too," Shelton said. "We had a lot of chances, and we just didn't finish. So the good thing is we're creating chances, but we've got to work on our finishes."

No. 1 UNC 3, No.17 Liberty 2
Scoring: UNC – Megan DuVernois (penalty stroke), 3:01; UNC – Erin Matson (penalty stroke), 25:32; LU – Charlotte Vaanhood, 36:52; UNC – Marissa Creatore (Erin Matson), 39:07; LU – Alivia Klopp (penalty stroke), 43:53
Shots: UNC 16 (1/6/7/2), LU 7 (2/1/4/0)
Penalty corners: UNC 8 (1/1/5/1), LU 4 (3/0/1/0)
Goalkeeper saves: UNC 2 (Amanda Hendry, 60:00 2 goals allowed, 2 saves), LU 8 (Allison Schaefer, 60:00 3 goals allowed, 8 saves)
Records: UNC 14-0 (5-0 ACC), LU 9-4 (4-1 Big East)
UNC starters: Amanda Hendry, Erin Matson, Madison Orobono, Catherine Hayden, Karlijn Goes, Romea Riccardo, Abby Pitcairn, Eva Smolenaars, Courtnie Williamson, Megan DuVernois, Marissa Creatore
UNC subs: Hannah Griggs, Bryn Boylan, Riley Fulmer