Cavaliers Fall to UNC in ACC Semifinals 1-0

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The third-ranked Virginia field hockey team (16-3) dropped a 1-0 decision in overtime to second-ranked North Carolina (19-1) Friday in the semifinals of the ACC Championship.

The Tar Heels advance to face top-ranked Maryland Sunday in the championship game.

The game-winning goal came 2:07 into the overtime session. North Carolina’s Kelsey Kolojejchick intercepted a pass as Virginia was transitioning the ball and took it into the circle. She dribbled free and fired the ball into the back of the cage.

It was the first game this season in which the Cavaliers failed to score.

“It was a great defensive battle today,” Virginia head coach Michele Madison said. “Both teams had opportunities. UNC was really dangerous when they hit the 25, and we were a little shy.”

For the game, Virginia outshot North Carolina 8-7 and tallied four penalty corners. The Tar Heels took three corners. Freshman Elly Buckley (Perth, Australia) registered four shots while sophomore Tara Puffenberger (Dallas, Pa.) had two.

In the cage, senior goalkeeper Kim Kastuk (Putnam Valley, N.Y.) was solid, tallying three saves. UNC’s Jackie Kintzer finished with four stops.

Virginia will await an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, which will be announced at 8 p.m. Tuesday on www.NCAA.com.