Virginia Falls 3-2 Against Top-Seeded Tar Heels

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Fourth-seeded Virginia (12-6) was eliminated from the 2023 ACC Field Hockey Championship with a 3-2 loss against No. 1 seed North Carolina (13-3) on Wednesday (Nov. 1) at Turf Field in Charlottesville, Va.

The Tar Heels built a 2-0 lead in the first quarter and held a 3-1 lead in the fourth quarter. Virginia scored a goal with 1:50 left in the game to pull back within one, but the Tar Heels held on for the victory.

Junior back Jans Croon scored both of the Cavaliers’ goals.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Ryleigh Heck put the Tar Heels up 1-0 2:15 into the game with Pleun Lammers adding a second goal for the Tar Heels with 4:30 remaining in the first quarter.

Croon cut the deficit in half five minutes into the second quarter, firing off a shot from the top of the circle on a penalty corner that deflected off a Tar Heel stick into the upper corner of the net.

The 2-1 score held into the fourth quarter.

Virginia pulled its goalie with 4:36 remaining in the game to add an extra attacker. The Cavaliers blocked one Tar Heel shot in front of the empty net, but the Tar Heels drew a penalty corner and scored, going up 3-1 with 3:50 remaining.

Croon got the Cavaliers back to within one with 1:50 remaining, scoring on another penalty corner, but the Tar Heels held on for the victory.

FROM ACTING HEAD COACH OLE KEUSGEN

“It was a slow start. We have to find a way to come to the first quarter and show up because we really didn’t show up and paid the price. That’s when we really lost the game and weren’t able to make up for it.”

“We have no quit in us. We’ll fight until the very end. That’s not the question. The question is why we can’t have that in the first quarter and consistently over the game. That’s what we have to address before the NCAA tournament.”

NOTES

• Noa Boterman and Jans Croon were named to the All-Tournament Team
• Jans Croon’s goals were her first two of the season and the second and third of her career
• Croon is the 11^th different Cavalier to score a goal this season
• Emily Field and Daniela Mendez-Trendler assisted on both goals
• North Carolina held a 13-6 edge in shots and 7-6 in penalty corners
• North Carolina’s Maddie Kahn allowed two goals with one save
• Tyler Kennedy allowed two goals with three saves
• North Carolina will take on Duke on Friday at 7 p.m. at Turf Field in the championship match. Admission and parking are free

ON THE HORIZON

• The NCAA Selection Show will stream live on NCAA.com on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 10 p.m.