Duke Drops Overtime Heartbreaker at UNC, 5-4

Sunday, October 18

Chapel Hill, N.C. / Karen Shelton Stadium

Noon

Duke University

(0-5 (0-3))

North Carolina

(6-1 (3-1))

Duke

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Duke Drops Overtime Heartbreaker at UNC, 5-4

10/18/2020 3:57:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Coming back from a two-goal deficit to force overtime, Duke field hockey dropped a hard-fought battle to North Carolina, 5-4, on Sunday afternoon at Karen Shelton Stadium.

The Blue Devils (0-5, 0-3 ACC) scored two goals in the fourth frame, including a penalty stroke, to play extra time, but North Carolina (6-1, 3-1) scored in the 65th minute to secure the Tar Heel victory in the non-conference matchup.

"I was really proud of the efforts that were consistent today – I think that's been our goal of improvement," head coach Pam Bustin said. "The energy was awesome. We have to stay locked into our purpose, what we came to do and the game plan. All the work they've been putting in to become the team they were today…we're not done, we're not even halfway there yet."

Duke put points on the board first in the opening minutes as sophomore Josie Varney tallied her first collegiate goal, scoring in the fourth minute of play. Freshman Alayna Burns passed from the left side, connecting with Varney who ripped a shot into the upper right of the cage. North Carolina responded 20 seconds later, capitalizing on its first penalty corner of the match to tie the game at 1-1.

Notching her first goal of the 2020 campaign, senior Lily Posternak gave the Blue Devils a 2-1 lead as sophomore Hannah Miller sent a cross from the right side, finding Posternak in the middle of the circle to score at the 18:13 mark. The Tar Heels answered in the 23rd minute as junior Erin Matson scored off their second corner of the contest.

North Carolina's Eva Smolenaars recorded back-to-back goals, scoring in the 41st and 47th minutes to give the Tar Heels a 4-2 advantage. Nearly two minutes later, graduate student Eva Nunnink found junior Leah Crouse in front of the cage for her first tally of the season to cut North Carolina's lead, 4-3.

Looking to add an extra player on Duke's attack, Bustin pulled freshman Piper Hampsch at 58:26. The Blue Devils earned a penalty corner, but the Tar Heels' keeper saved freshman Darcy Bourne's shot. With 10 seconds left in regulation, Duke earned its first penalty stroke of the season. Senior Lexi Davidson stepped up to take it, striking the ball into the upper left corner of the cage to make it a 4-4 contest.

"When Leah scored, we had the opportunity to pull the goalie to bring that extra person up and force something like another corner or goal," said Bustin. "I think we should've scored on our corner prior to the stroke, but there was no doubt Lexi was ready. As our leader and primary stroker, she stepped right up to bury it."

Duke had an early chance in overtime, but a Duke yellow card gave the Tar Heels a man up at 62:12. North Carolina won in the 65th minute as Matson found Hannah Griggs for the game-winning goal, resulting in a 5-4 decision.

In the highly contested game, the Tar Heels edged the Blue Devils, 18-15, in shots while both teams had nine on frame and five corners. North Carolina's goalkeeper Amanda Hendry made five saves in the game as Hampsch finished with four – all which game in the fourth period.

The Blue Devils return to action next weekend with a pair of games against Wake Forest. Duke travels to Winston-Salem for a 3 p.m. contest on Friday, Oct. 23 before hosting the Demon Deacons on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 12 p.m.

#GoDuke