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Friday, September 2
Princeton, N.J.
4:00 p.m.
Princeton University
1
vs
2
North Carolina
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
Field Hockey's Late Rally Falls Short vs. No. 1 UNC
September 02, 2016 | Field Hockey
PRINCETON, N.J. – A furious comeback fell just short as the No. 15 Princeton field hockey team dropped a 2-1 decision to the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels on Friday afternoon at Bedford Field.
Trailing 2-0, junior Ryan McCarthy found some open space and drilled one past North Carolina goalie Alex Halpin with 1:27 to go, cutting the Tigers' deficit in half.
With Princeton on the offensive break, North Carolina's Ashley Hoffman was given a green card setting up one final corner opportunity for the home team as time expired. With the goalie pulled, freshman Carlotta von Gierke found fellow freshman Maddie Bacskai, who blasted a shot high, but Halpin made the save to secure the Tar Heels' second victory of the season.
The Tar Heels controlled possession for most of the first half, but Princeton's stout backline allowed just five shots. The defending Ivy League champions' first scoring threat came in the 16th minute off a corner. Von Gierke passed to McCarthy, who looked to have open space on the shot, but Shannon Johnson slid over to make the stop.
As the first 35 minutes came to a close, the Tar Heels were awarded a penalty corner. On the play, Hoffman's shot was deflected in by Gab Major, handing the road squad a 1-0 advantage at the half. The No. 1 team in the country led 5-1 in shots heading into the intermission.
North Carolina continued to put on the offensive pressure in the second stanza as it took four consecutive shots to open the half. In the 50th minute, Major had her shot blocked, but this time Megan DuVernois snuck the deflection into the back of the net, giving the reigning national runner-up a 2-0 advantage.
Lauren Moyer and Gab Major of North Carolina led all players with four shots. For McCarthy, it was her 13th career goal. Sophomore Grace Baylis made four saves in her career debut. The Tar Heels improved to 2-1 on the season and 7-3 all-time vs. Princeton. The Tigers drop to 0-1 on the year, but get right back at it on Sunday as they welcome Bucknell to Bedford Field (1 p.m.).
Trailing 2-0, junior Ryan McCarthy found some open space and drilled one past North Carolina goalie Alex Halpin with 1:27 to go, cutting the Tigers' deficit in half.
With Princeton on the offensive break, North Carolina's Ashley Hoffman was given a green card setting up one final corner opportunity for the home team as time expired. With the goalie pulled, freshman Carlotta von Gierke found fellow freshman Maddie Bacskai, who blasted a shot high, but Halpin made the save to secure the Tar Heels' second victory of the season.
The Tar Heels controlled possession for most of the first half, but Princeton's stout backline allowed just five shots. The defending Ivy League champions' first scoring threat came in the 16th minute off a corner. Von Gierke passed to McCarthy, who looked to have open space on the shot, but Shannon Johnson slid over to make the stop.
As the first 35 minutes came to a close, the Tar Heels were awarded a penalty corner. On the play, Hoffman's shot was deflected in by Gab Major, handing the road squad a 1-0 advantage at the half. The No. 1 team in the country led 5-1 in shots heading into the intermission.
North Carolina continued to put on the offensive pressure in the second stanza as it took four consecutive shots to open the half. In the 50th minute, Major had her shot blocked, but this time Megan DuVernois snuck the deflection into the back of the net, giving the reigning national runner-up a 2-0 advantage.
Lauren Moyer and Gab Major of North Carolina led all players with four shots. For McCarthy, it was her 13th career goal. Sophomore Grace Baylis made four saves in her career debut. The Tar Heels improved to 2-1 on the season and 7-3 all-time vs. Princeton. The Tigers drop to 0-1 on the year, but get right back at it on Sunday as they welcome Bucknell to Bedford Field (1 p.m.).
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Field Hockey
GK
/ Field Hockey
ST
/ Field Hockey
MF
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