No. 10 Princeton Falls To No. 1 UNC On OT Penalty Stroke 2-1

Sunday, September 3

Philadelphia, Pa.

10:30 AM

Princeton University

(0-2)

North Carolina

(3-1)

Princeton

North Carolina

Photo by James Beaver.

No. 10 Princeton Falls To No. 1 UNC On OT Penalty Stroke 2-1

September 03, 2023 | Field Hockey

Box Score

A game that tested everything that both teams had ended with players in white jerseys and blue jerseys on the field in one giant embrace. After what they had just been through, it was only fitting.

No. 1 North Carolina, the defending NCAA champion, defeated Princeton 2-1 on Lisa Slinkert's successful conversion of a penalty stroke eight minutes into overtime, finishing what was an extraordinary effort by both teams. The game was played on a scorching Vangelos Field at Penn, and Princeton used all 18 healthy field players in an effort to keep fresh legs on the field as much as possible.

The loss was the second one-goal loss in the ACC/Ivy Crossover at Penn, after a 2-1 loss to No. 9 Louisville Friday. Princeton lost to the same two a year ago, also by a single goal.

WHAT THE BOX SCORE TELLS YOU
Princeton scored first, a little more than four minutes into the game, when Talia Schenck pushed a shot on goal that was saved and then reversed into the goal by Bridget Murphy. Princeton would lead for the next 49:30, holding off the Tar Heels time and again before UNC finally cashed in on a penalty corner with 6:26 to play. Slinkert's winner came after a penalty stroke was called along the goal line and then reaffirmed by a video review.

Princeton was outshot 23-5 and outcornerned 10-1.

WHAT THE BOX SCORE DOESN'T TELL YOU
Princeton freshman Ottilie Sykes and Hope Delaney played all 68 minutes. Sykes has played every minute of the first two games.

Princeton had three freshmen on the field for the start of the overtime, with Sykes, Delaney and Ella Cashman.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Princeton goalie Robyn Thompson made 10 saves, six in the second half, to keep UNC at bay. The 10 saves were a career-best for Thompson, who made high saves, low saves and every kind of save in between.

PLAY OF THE GAME
Just after tying the game, North Carolina's Pluen Lammers found herself free in front of Thompson about eight yards from the cage. Ripping a blast to take the lead, Pluen's shot was knocked away by Thompson for the best of her 10 saves.

NEXT UP
Princeton is at Delaware Friday at 5.