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Princeton University
North Carolina
Players Mentioned
No. 15 Field Hockey Drops Season Opener to No. 2 North Carolina, 5-2
September 04, 2015 | Field Hockey
BOX SCORE
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
PRINCETON, N.J. – Despite a pair of late goals and a career day from senior goalie Anya Gersoff, the 15th-ranked Princeton University field hockey team dropped its 2015 season opener to No. 2 North Carolina on Bedford Field, 5-2.
Netting four first half goals, the Tar Heels finished with a decisive 26-6 shot advantage and a 6-2 edge in penalty corners. Making 14 saves, Gersoff set a new career benchmark, surpassing her previous high of 12 stops set last season. Freshman Sophia Tornetta and Teresa Benvenuti accounted for the Tigers' two scores.
Wasting little time getting on the board, UNC's Casey Di Nardo backhanded a shot past Gersoff at 4:01. Eight and a half minutes later, Eva van't Hoog found Emily Wold in the middle of the circle, who tucked a shot into the bottom left corner.
With just over 15 minutes remaining in the first half, Gersoff momentarily kept the Tigers within two, making a sliding save on a Malin Evert breakaway chance. Continuing to push forward, UNC added to its tally when Sam Night centered a pass to Di Nardo in front to make it 3-0 at 26:03. In the 31st minute, the Tar Heels capped off the first half scoring as Gab Major put in her own rebound following a defensive save by Danielle Duseau.
Outshot 18-1 over the first 35 minutes, Princeton began to settle in and create scoring chances of its own. With the Tigers earning their first penalty corner in the 53th minute, Maddie Copeland played an insert to the top of the circle. Redirecting a Benvenuti hit, Nicole Catalino pushed a shot just wide of the left post.
Winning another penalty corner in the 62nd minute, Princeton finally broke through. Inserting it from the left side, Tornetta made a run toward the cage. Sticking her stick out while going to the ground, Tornetta was able to redirect a shot from Hailey Reeves past UNC goalie Shannon Johnson for her first collegiate score.
Coming right back, Lauren Moyer notched the Tar Heels' fifth tally at 63:57. With just seven seconds remaining in regulation, Benvenuti beat Johnson to make the final score 5-2.
Princeton returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 6 against No. 9 Virginia.