UNC Beats Louisville 3-1 To Earn Spot In ACC Final

Friday, November 8

Newton, Mass.

1:00 PM

North Carolina

(18-0, 6-0ACC)

Louisville (ACC Semifinals)

(15-5, 4-2ACC)

Louisville

North Carolina

Photo by: Mary Schwalm, the ACC

November 8, 2019 | Field Hockey

Box Score Watch Highlights Box Score

By: UNC Athletic Communications

NEWTON, Mass. – The top-ranked North Carolina field hockey team beat No. 6 Louisville 3-1 Friday on a chilly afternoon at Newton Field Hockey Complex to advance in Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament play. The Tar Heels will take on host Boston College Sunday at 11 a.m. in search of their third title in a row and the 22^nd ACC crown in program history.

"I'm delighted to advance to the ACC Championship game," said UNC coach Karen Shelton, whose team is in the title game for the fifth year in a row and the ninth time in the past 10 years. "That's what we came to do is to play for a championship. We've got to congratulate Louisville for playing a wonderful game and fighting til the bitter end. They're a very, very good defensive team and I think they had their flurries and their chances."

Those weren't the only flurries around on Friday. Flakes wafted down from time to time as temperatures sat in the 30s and players and fans alike bundled up to try to keep warm. For the Tar Heels, the offense soon started heating up, courtesy of junior Erin Matson, back with the team after missing three games while competing as part of the U.S. National Team. On Wednesday, Matson was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row, and Friday she displayed her credentials, scoring twice for the Tar Heels. Her first goal came in the seventh minute of play, when she carried the ball into the circle, eluding several defenders before sending a shot into the left corner of the cage for a 1-0 lead.

Exactly three minutes later, the Tar Heels added another, this one on a penalty corner. After a shot by Matson was saved, senior Yentl Leemans grabbed the rebound and passed it to junior Eva Smolenaars to the left of the cage. Smolenaars tried to pass, had her pass broken up, then gathered the ball and tried again, threading a ball to senior Feline Guenther in front of the cage. Guenther pulled the ball to her right and shot to make it 2-0 Tar Heels. It was Guenther's third goal of the season, and all have come in the past two games.

That margin stood all the way into the fourth quarter, despite some prime opportunities for Louisville. With 8:01 remaining in the game, the Cardinals asked for a review after they were awarded a penalty corner. After viewing the replay, the officials changed the call and gave the Cards a penalty stroke. Carter Ayers stepped up and took it, but Tar Heel goalkeeper Amanda Hendry made the save, diving to her left and batting the ball away with her left hand to keep Louisville off the board. Hendry would finish with a season-high seven saves.

"I'm pleased with Amanda Hendry for making a big save," Shelton said. "I think that could have been a turning point with eight minutes to play and she stood strong."

Matson scored again with four minutes remaining. Senior Marissa Creatore intercepted a Louisville pass and tapped it to Matson, who shot from mid-circle just inside the right post for a 3-0 lead.

With 24 goals this season, she is now tied for seventh on UNC's single-season goals list. Three more would move her into a tie for second. The record is 36 by Cindy Werley in 1997.

UNC was looking at its seventh shutout of the season before the Cardinals scored with 59 seconds to play. The goal by Bethany Russ came on a penalty corner, one of four Louisville had in the fourth quarter. "I'm disappointed with the way we finished the game," Shelton said. "We gave away too many chances. Our ability to close the game out needs some work."

No. 1 UNC 3, No. 6 Louisville 1
Scoring: UNC – Erin Matson, 6:29; UNC – Feline Guenther (Eva Smolenaars), 9:29; UNC – Matson (Marissa Creatore). 56:02; UL – Bethany Russ (Mercedes Pastor), 59:01
Shots: UNC 14 (5/1/5/3), UL 12 (3/1/0/8)
Penalty corners: UNC 6 (3/0/2/1), UL 7 (3/0/0/4)
Saves: UNC 7 (Amanda Hendry, 60:00, 7 saves, 1 goal allowed), UL 4 (Hollyn Barr, 60:00, 4 saves, 3 goals allowed)
Records: UNC 18-0, UL 15-5

UNC starters: Amanda Hendry, Erin Matson, Madison Orobono, Catherine Hayden, Romea Riccardo, Feline Guenther, Yentl Leemans, Eva Smolenaars, Courtnie Williamson, Megan DuVernois, Marissa Creatore
UNC subs: Hannah Griggs, Karlijn Goes, Abby Pitcairn, Riley Fulmer