Northwestern scored 9:23 into sudden-victory overtime to cap off a comeback win and beat UNC 4-3 at the NCAA Final Four in Durham Friday afternoon.

The Wildcats hadn’t led all day, as Carolina raced out to a 2-0 lead inside 15 minutes thanks to goals from sisters Ryleigh and Kara Heck. Though Northwestern closed the gap to 2-1 before halftime, UNC restored the two-goal advantage early in the third quarter with a goal from Isabel Boere.

Northwestern once again cut the deficit to one goal later in the quarter, but UNC would hold its 3-2 lead until the final two minutes of the game. The Wildcats finally found the equalizer with just 70 seconds remaining, knotting the score at 3-3 and sending the game into overtime.

UNC controlled most of the scoring chances in the overtime period, taking three penalty corners and holding the Wildcats to none. The best chance came on the third corner, as freshman Reese Anetsberger set up shop in front of an open Wildcat cage and saw the ball deflect toward her, but it hit off her foot before her stick, nullifying the potential game-winning goal. Just seconds later, Northwestern broke the other way and scored the game winner. In an ironic twist of fate, former Tar Heel Ashley Sessa was the one to end UNC’s season.

The Tar Heels end their 2025 campaign with a 21-2 overall record. Both losses came in overtime. It’s the second straight season UNC has fallen short in the national semifinals. This is the first time Carolina will not have played in the national title game in two consecutive seasons since 2013 and 2014.

 

Featured image via UNC Field Hockey on Twitter

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