Evert's Goal Earns UNC Another OT Win

Sunday, September 24

Albany, N.Y.

1:00 PM

North Carolina

(9-2)

Albany

(4-4)

OT 2

North Carolina

Albany

Malin Evert scored the gamewinner just 56 seconds into overtime.

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

September 24, 2017 | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score (.pdf)

The Tar Heels won 2-1 at No. 20 Albany

By: UNC Athletic Communications

ALBANY, N.Y. – Junior Malin Evert scored just 56 seconds into overtime Sunday afternoon to earn the No. 7 North Carolina field hockey team a 2-1 win over host Albany and give the Tar Heels overtime road wins on back-to-back days.

UNC, which improved to 9-2 overall with the victory, beat No. 6 Syracuse 3-2 on Saturday afternoon before busing to Albany Saturday night. The win over the 20th-ranked Great Danes was Carolina's third in overtime in the past five games, all over an eight-day span.

"I'm so proud of our team – what a gutsy performance under challenging conditions," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "They worked so hard today after a really big win yesterday and then travel last night. Weekends like this are going to make us a better team."

Playing at Alumni Turf on an afternoon when temperatures soared to the high 80s, the Tar Heel gamewinner came after junior Ashley Hoffman intercepted an Albany ball and then carried it into the circle for a shot. Great Danes keeper Melissa Nealon saved Hoffman's shot, but Evert gained control of the rebound and put it in from the left side for the win. The goal was Evert's third of the fall.

"The ball bounced our way in overtime," Shelton said. "Credit to Albany for a great game today. They're a well-coached team and they outplayed us in the first half. I think our depth was a factor in the second half. We're happy to escape with the win."

The game was scoreless for most of the afternoon. Albany finally managed a goal in the 64th minute, by Katie MacCallum and assisted by Dana Bozek, the younger sister of former Tar Heel standout Emma Bozek.

UNC immediately called a timeout and pulled goalkeeper Amanda Hendry in favor of an extra field player. That gamble paid off quickly, as the Tar Heels drew a corner less than two minutes later and scored on it. After inserting the ball, senior Gab Major positioned herself at the left side of the cage to deflect Ashley Hoffman's shot past Nealon and tie the game for Carolina with just over five minutes to play.

UNC finished with 17 shots, 11 of them in the second half.

Next up for UNC is a home game against Old Dominion next Sunday, Oct. 1. The Tar Heels are playing home games this season at Duke's Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium in Durham while a new on-campus facility is under construction.

No. 7 UNC 2, No. 20 Albany 1, OT
Scoring: UA – Katie MacCallum (Dana Bozek), 63:08; UNC – Gab Major (Ashley Hoffman), 64:46; UNC – Malin Evert, 70:56
Shots: UNC 17 (4/11/2), UA 12 (7/5/0)
Penalty corners: UNC 8 (2/6/0), UA 8 (7/1/0)
Goalkeeper saves: UNC 1 (Amanda Hendry, 69:16. 1 goal allowed, I save; Team, 1:40); UA 9 (Melissa Nealon, 70:56, 2 goals allowed, 9 saves)
Records: UNC 9-2, Albany 4-4

UNC starters: Amanda Hendry, Eef Andriessen, Cassie Sumfest, Ashley Hoffman, Feline Guenther, Malin Evert, Morgan Goetz, Eva Smolenaars, Eva van't Hoog, Gab Major, Marissa Creatore
UNC subs: Meredith Sholder, Bryn Boylan, Catherine Hayden, Kathryn Holland, Courtnie Williamson, Megan DuVernois