The Tar Heels got that this weekend.
Behind senior goalie Shannon Johnson’s two shutouts and sophomore midfielder Ashley Hoffman’s three goals, UNC earned a pair of 3-0 victories over No. 12 Stanford and No. 2 Maryland. With the win over the Terrapins (18-5, 7-1 Big Ten), the Tar Heels (19-5, 3-4 ACC) are bound for their eighth straight Final Four appearance.
“I’m proud of the Tar Heels,” Coach Karen Shelton said. “It’s a thrill to be heading back to the Final Four.”
North Carolina was dominant this weekend, thanks in large part to its defense, Johnson’s communication and Hoffman’s two-way game.
Johnson came into this weekend having played less than 500 minutes, but her mental focus throughout the season prepared her for big moments.
“Throughout the season, I worked on staying mentally in it, practicing hard,” she said. “So I could be ready when I was called on.”
Shelton told Johnson days before the tournament she would be in goal in place of Alex Halpin — the transfer sophomore who had played nearly twice as many minutes as Johnson in net.
“When it’s even, we like to go with experience,” Shelton said.