Dani Mendez scored two goals to haunt her former team and lead UNC to a 4-1 win against Virginia in the ACC Tournament title game in Louisville Friday. The win is Carolina’s ninth straight conference championship and 28th overall. It’s also the 300th ACC title overall for UNC programs.

Mendez, who played her first three seasons at Virginia before transferring to UNC, followed up her two-goal performance against Duke in the semifinals by scoring the game’s opening goal less than four minutes into the game. She followed that up with her second goal early in the second quarter.

Charly Bruder put the Tar Heels up 3-0 less than five minutes later. The game went to halftime with Carolina holding a 3-1 advantage after Virginia scored later in the second period.

After halftime, Reese Anetsberger restored the three-goal lead just 43 seconds in, cashing in on an assist from Mendez for her fifth goal of the season. The Carolina defense ensured the lead would stand up, holding the Cavaliers without a shot – on target or otherwise – for the entire second half. UNC outshot Virginia 14-5 for the game, with an 11-4 edge in shots on goal. Mendez was named ACC Tournament MVP.

With the win, Carolina is now 19-1 overall this season and has won 11 straight games. The Tar Heels, who entered the ACC Tournament ranked No. 1 in the national polls, are virtually ensured of the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, which begins next week. The bracket will be announced Sunday, November 9 at 10 p.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Field Hockey on Twitter

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