A positive start didn’t hold for the No. 4 UNC field hockey team Friday afternoon in Philadelphia, as a late goal for the Saint Joseph’s Hawks doomed Carolina to its third loss in five games.
Erin Matson got the Tar Heels on the board first, putting home a rebound off a blocked shot from co-captain Cassie Sumfest. Though the Hawks answered later in the first quarter, Matson gave Carolina the lead once again in the second, this time a solo effort through the Saint Joseph’s defense.
But it was the last goal the Tar Heels would score. Saint Joseph’s tied the game up just five minutes later, sending the game to halftime even at 2-2. The Hawks held Matson and the potent Carolina offense in check for the final 30 minutes, before a penalty corner for the hosts with four minutes remaining in the game produced the tiebreaking goal.
Head coach Karen Shelton then pulled goalkeeper Abigail Taylor for an extra attacker. The Tar Heels kept the pressure on until the very end, earning two penalty corners of their own. But none bore any fruit, and a frustrating start to the year continued for the three-time defending national champions. Carolina out-shot the Hawks 7-3.
“Congratulations to Saint Joseph’s,” Shelton said after the game. “This was a fantastic game between two really good teams – both teams fought hard, and we came out on the short end. We knew they were good team and I think we brought out the best in them. I’m disappointed we didn’t capitalize our chances but I’m not disappointed with our team – we’ll keep improving and there are lots of things we can do better. A game like this makes both teams better.”
The field hockey team will stay in Philadelphia over the weekend, and will try to find a little more brotherly love against Drexel Sunday at noon.
Featured image via Saint Joseph’s Athletics
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