University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Boston College (ACC Tournament)
UNC Advances In ACC Field Hockey Play
November 3, 2005 | Field Hockey
Nov. 3, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Fourth-seeded North Carolina scored with less than seven minutes remaining in the game to beat fifth-seeded Boston College 2-1 in the first round of the Atlantic Coast Conference Field Hockey Championship on Thursday. The Tar Heels advance to face top-seeded and undefeated Wake Forest Friday at 4 p.m. in the semifinals.
"At this point, it's all about advancing, so we're happy to get the win," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "Boston College played well, but we were able to get a couple of goals and hold on. I'm proud of the team and we look forward to playing the No. 1 team in the country on Friday."
North Carolina (14-5) struck first in the contest, with sophomore Alli Tanner getting the Tar Heels on the board in the sixth minute of play. Sophomore Xan Funk sent a pass from the right baseline across the goal mouth, and Tanner pounded it home at the 5:23 mark to put UNC on top.
The Tar Heels held the 1-0 lead into the second half. In the 49th minute of play, Boston College's Caitlin Gillen pounced on a rebound after a flurry of action in the box to tied the game at 1-1.
Freshman Britt van Beek scored the game winner at the 63:41 mark, deflecting a ball past BC goalkeeper Jillian Savoy.
The Eagles (13-6) threatened to score several times in the waning minutes, but couldn't find the back of the net. Crystal Frates and Bob Dirks had Boston College's best chances with about two minutes to play, but Frates' shot was saved by UNC goalkeeper Katy Tran, and Dirks' shot off the rebound went wide right.
"It was a hard-fought game and certainly we felt the pressure of being the higher seed," Shelton said. "I thought our kids played well at times, but we ended up winning the game in an ugly way."
Boston College outshot the Tar Heels on the afternoon, 16-8, and drew six penalty corners to North Carolina's three.
Tran, a senior and member of the 2005 All-ACC team, allowed just one goal in 70 minutes of work, and recorded nine saves. Savoy totaled three saves and allowed two goals for the game.
The 2005 ACC Field Hockey Championship is being hosted by the University of Maryland at the Terrapins' Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.
