UNC Field Hockey Beats Duke, Advances to ACC Tournament Final

Three second-half goals powered UNC to a 5-2 win against Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals in Louisville Thursday afternoon. The win was Carolina’s second against the Blue Devils in the last six days.

Dani Mendez, who scored the game-winning overtime goal against Duke in the regular-season finale on Halloween night, opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game and gave Carolina a 1-0 lead. Duke answered less than two minutes later, but All-ACC first team honoree Ryleigh Heck restored the Tar Heel advantage later in the first quarter with her 17th goal of the season on a deflection in front of the Blue Devil cage.

Mendez was back to her scoring ways early in the third quarter, pushing the UNC lead to 3-1 with her 12th goal of the year. Charly Bruder added on later in the period, and the game went to the fourth quarter with Carolina leading 4-2 after a late Duke goal.

In the fourth quarter, UNC limited the Blue Devils to just one shot on goal as the Tar Heels held on to the two-goal edge. With the game already won in the final minutes, Sanne Hak scored one more Carolina goal for good measure and sealing the 5-2 final. The five goals are UNC’s most scored in an ACC game since September 21, when the Tar Heels scored eight against Stanford.

Carolina will face either No. 2 seed Virginia or No. 6 seed Syracuse in the ACC Tournament final Friday in Louisville. The Tar Heels are seeking their ninth consecutive ACC championship and 28th overall.

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications

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