North Carolina
James Madison
UNC Field Hockey Defeats James Madison
September 23, 2001 | Field Hockey
Sept. 23, 2001
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--Playing with a shuffled lineup and looking to get back in the victory column following its first loss of the year, the University of North Carolina field hockey team defeated visiting James Madison 3-1 Sunday afternoon at Francis E. Henry Stadium. The Tar Heels, now 6-1, are ranked No. 1 in this week's national poll. James Madison, now 4-4, is ranked 20th.
Following Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to Kent State, UNC coach Karen Shelton made several changes in the Tar Heel lineup. Most notably, she shifted seniors Carrie Lingo and Abby Martin, both members of the U.S. National Team, out of the midfield and started them on the back line against James Madison. In the midfield, freshman Laura Douglas made her first start of the season. The Tar Heels responded well to the changes and took a 3-0 shutout into the game's final minutes.
"This win was vitally important, especially since we changed our lineup a lot," said Martin. "After yesterday's loss, we wanted to come out and make a statement, not just to the rest of the country but to ourselves."
The Tar Heels got on the board with 21:23 remaining in the first half when senior Abbey Woolley scored her sixth goal of the season and second of the weekend on an assist from freshman Kelsey Keeran. Less than two minutes later, Lingo dribbled into the circle and scored unassisted from 10 yards out to put UNC up 2-0. The goal was her third of the weekend and fifth of the year.
Carolina widened the lead to 3-0 midway through the second half when junior Meredith Keller scored from the field on an assist from senior Katie McDonald. The Dukes' goal came with just over a minute to play, on sophomore Dana Weaver's shot, assisted by freshman Heidi Beck.
UNC returns to action on Wednesday at 7 p.m., hosting Wake Forest in the Tar Heels' sole evening game of the regular season. Wake Forest is ranked No. 7 in this week's poll.
"I feel good about the changes we've made and I think the team does, too," Shelton said. "We'll be tested on Wednesday by a very good Wake Forest team. They're coming off a loss, which will make them even more dangerous."
The Demon Deacons opened Atlantic Coast Conference play on Saturday with a 4-1 loss to No. 3 Maryland. Wednesday's matchup between UNC and Wake is a nonconference contest, the two will meet in Winston-Salem on Oct. 6 for the game that will count in ACC standings.
North Carolina 3, James Madison 1
Scoring: UNC-Abbey Woolley (Kelsey Keeran), 1st, 21:23, UNC-Carrie Lingo, 1st, 19:35, UNC-Meredith Keller (Katie McDonald), 2nd, 19:01, JMU-Dana Weaver (Heidi Beck), 2nd, 1:02
Shots on goal: JMU 6, UNC 11
Goalkeeper saves: JMU (Kiernan Raffo) 2, UNC (Amy Tran, Alexis Suarez at 2:21) 1
Penalty corners: JMU 4, UNC 9
Defensive saves: JMU 2 (Amanda Nichols, Veerle Goudswaard), UNC 0
