No. 22 Duke Falls at No. 9 North Carolina, 4-1

Friday, October 8

Chapel Hill, N.C. / Karen Shelton Stadium

7 P.M.

Duke University

(4-8, 0-4ACC)

North Carolina

(8-4, 2-1ACC)

Duke

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

No. 22 Duke Falls at No. 9 North Carolina, 4-1

10/8/2021 9:48:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score BOX SCORE

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—Ninth-ranked North Carolina scored three goals over the course of seven minutes to come away with a 4-1 victory over No. 22 Duke in ACC field hockey action this evening at Karen Shelton Stadium.

Duke (4-8, 0-4) struck first as graduate student Eva Nunnink powered a shot past the North Carolina goalkeeper straight off the penalty corner in the eighth minute. Senior Lexi Davidson stopped the insert from Lily Posternak to earn the assists.

Rookie Logan Clouser was responsible for earning the penalty corner, getting into the circle and forcing the Tar Heels into an early defensive miscue. The goal was the second of the year for Nunnink.

The Blue Devils were excellent in the first quarter overall, using a high press to neutralize the potent Tar Heel offense. It marked just the third time this season Duke had scored in the first quarter as both teams finished with three shots apiece.

Duke came out of the short break and continued to control much of the possession, earning consecutive penalty corners in the opening minutes. With North Carolina seemingly starting to find a rhythm on offense, Duke goalie Piper Hampsch came up with a huge play with under three minutes to play in the period, coming off her line to make a save against Erin Matson on a UNC breakaway.

North Carolina (8-4, 2-1) tied the game minutes later as Matson's shot popped over the stick of an outstretched Hampsch on a penalty corner.

Duke earned a penalty corner in the waning seconds of the half, but a shot from Leah Crouse was blocked as the horn sounded to send the squads into halftime, 1-1.

North Carolina rode that momentum into the third quarter and nabbed a 2-1 lead 10 minutes into the period on another score from Matson. The senior carried the ball into the circle and beat a defender and hit a shot past Hampsch.

Just over two minutes later, Jasmina Smolenaars redirected a shot by Cassie Sumfest on a penalty corner to give the Tar Heels a two-goal cushion, 3-1, heading into the final quarter. The Tar Heels held a 10-3 advantage in shots in the third stanza.

Looking to cut into the North Carolina lead early, the Blue Devils created two early chances in the fourth. Josie Varney had her shot blocked and MaryKate Neff hit the post on the ensuing rebound.

Duke also won an early penalty corner as Nunnink's clean hit was denied by UNC keeper Abigail Taylor.

Duke's momentum hit a bump moments later when North Carolina was awarded a penalty stroke. Matson stepped to the dot and scored her third goal of the day for the 4-1 lead with 12:36 left in the final period.

Hampsch finished the night with eight saves as North Carolina held a narrow 19-16 edge in shots. Duke won 10 penalty corners to the Tar Heels' six. Taylor had six saves for the Tar Heels.

The Blue Devils return to action again Sunday at Jack Katz Field against No. 17 Old Dominion. First hit is set for 12 p.m., on ACCNX.

#GoDuke