DURHAM — Sophomore goalkeeper Shannon Johnson had just given up more than two goals for only the second time all season. The No. 1 North Carolina field hockey team had just been knocked out of the ACC tournament in a brutal semi-final game against No. 6 Syracuse. And she had faced 23 shots in two days — nine from Duke, 14 from Syracuse.
But despite all that had been going on around her, she remained calm and composed, during and after the game.
“She’s a rock,” Coach Karen Shelton said. “We have every confidence in her.”
UNC lost 3-2 in overtime to Syracuse Friday at Williams Field at Duke. Syracuse outshot the Tar Heels 14-11, and for a stretch in the second half, maintained possession of the ball at UNC’s end for about 15 minutes.
Syracuse also drew eight corners in the game, which Shelton said was more than the average number UNC gives up. But UNC only allowed the Orange to convert one into a goal, a credit to the defense and to Johnson.
“Even during the game, Shannon’s very like — we always say she’s very like, not like a princess, but she’s very calm, like the queen,” junior forward Casey Di Nardo said. “She’s not like a very ‘Oh, get out of here,’ she’s just chilling.”
Johnson made seven saves against Syracuse and five against Duke — 12 saves in two games. In the last six games she started in the regular season, she only had to make 11 saves while allowing just three goals. UNC also only allowed 28 shots in the last six games Johnson started compared to the 23 they allowed in two games in the ACC tournament.
But Johnson wasn’t phased by the increased offensive pressure against her in the tournament.
“It’s just like the same mindset as every other game,” she said. “It’s just: be ready at all times, kind of keeping your mind focused and just paying attention to where everyone is, especially key players.”