No. 9 Princeton Falls To No. 1 North Carolina in National Championship Game

Sunday, November 24

Winston-Salem, N.C.

1:00 PM

Princeton University

#1 North Carolina

Princeton Field Hockey -North Carolina -

Photo by: Brian Westerholt

No. 9 Princeton Falls To No. 1 North Carolina in National Championship Game

November 24, 2019 | Field Hockey

Box Score

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. – The No. 9 Princeton Tigers dropped a 6-1 decision to the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels in the National Championship contest at Kenter Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Tigers started off quickly as Clara Roth dribbled along the base line and sent a quick pass to Emma Street, who was alone in front of the cage, who then tapped it in two minutes in.

North Carolina collected a corner halfway through the first quarter, but their attempt was wide of the cage. The Tar Heels tried to review the play, but there was a replay issue and the call stood.

Princeton's best chance to add on to the lead was with under three minutes to go. Roth's big shot was saved by North Carolina's goalie Amanda Henry. Ali McCarthy's follow-up was also sent away before Emma Street's attempt was wide.

Right before the end of the first quarter, North Carolina's Marissa Creatore tied the contest as she corralled her own rebound and pushed it through.

At the four-minute mark of the second stanza, Princeton produced three straight corners, but its best chance (a shot from Hannah Davey) in that stretch was saved. North Carolina took the lead on a corner as Eva Smolenaars knocked in rebound at the 8:50 mark. The Tigers had a corner before the end of the half, but the attempt was wide.

North Carolina's Erin Matson tacked on to the No. 1 team in the country's advantage as she blasted a reverse chip. Matson later contributed her second tally of the game with 2:12 remaining in the third stanza. Roth's shot as the clock expired was wide.
The Tar Heels scored two more times in the fourth frame to finish the scoring.

Princeton wraps up the season at 16-5 overall. This loss ended a 13-game winning streak which was the second longest streak in program history. North Carolina finishes at 23-0 overall and has won 45 straight games. This is also the conclusion to the wonderful Class of 2020's time at Princeton. The group of Maddie Bacskai, Carlotta von Gierke, Grace Baylis, Krista Hoffman and Taylor Nolan won 55 games in their four years, won two Ivy titles and three Final Fours.