Third-Ranked Cavaliers Fall to No. 2 UNC in Overtime, 2-1

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The third-ranked Virginia field hockey team (14-2, 1-2 ACC) was defeated in overtime by second-ranked North Carolina (14-0, 4-0 ACC) 2-1 Saturday at the University Hall Turf Field.

Sophomore Paige Selenski scored with 36 seconds left in regulation to tie the game 1-1 and send it into extra time.

North Carolina’s Danielle Forword then converted on a penalty corner in the 83rd minute to give the Tar Heels the win and remain unbeaten. Teammate Elizabeth Drazdowski assisted on the goal.

“Our kids stayed in it and I give them a lot of credit,” Virginia head coach Michele Madison said. “We were down a goal most of the game and our kids just kept plugging away until finally we had one drop in. North Carolina is a great team.”

After trailing 1-0, Virginia was able to put on some offensive pressure in the second half, outshooting UNC 4-3 in the period.

Junior Inga Stöckel took possession of the ball just past midfield and blasted it into the circle, where several Cavaliers stood in position. Selenski was able to get her stick on the ball before it went into the cage, past North Carolina goalkeeper Jackie Kintzer. The goal in the 70th minute forced overtime.

For the game, the Tar Heels outshot Virginia 14-9 and had an 8-4 advantage on penalty corners.

“We were playing nice combination hockey but were too eager and trying to go forward too fast,” Madison said. “We had opportunities to win it, in overtime too, and that is the key. Our defense in the second half was stellar. You just have to keep it simple.”

Kintzer finished with five saves, as did UVa junior Kim Kastuk.

UNC got on the board in the ninth minute to take a 1-0 lead. Forword dribbled into the circle and dumped it off to Drazdowski, who was sitting on the right post and was able to put the ball in the back of the net.

The Cavaliers play at No. 5 Wake Forest in a conference game next Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C. Game time is set for 1 p.m.