Field Hockey Falls to Maryland, Fails to Qualify for NCAA Tourney

Against No. 4 Maryland on Friday, the Tar Heels built a two-goal lead, but saw it evaporate as the Terps scored three unanswered goals to win the match 3-2, ending the Tar Heels' season early for the first time since 1982.

"I thought it was a well-played game, back and forth, very exciting for the fans and the players alike," said UNC coach Karen Shelton. "Both teams train hard all year to play games like (this one). It could have gone either way."

The Tar Heels took the field fired up and controlled the tempo for most of the first half.

Only five minutes passed before sophomore Katy Potter's diving put-in of a rebound off goalkeeper Kerry Hearsey left Potter on the ground and UNC ahead 1-0.

Eight minutes later forward Kerry Falgowski broke downfield, raced around the rushing goalie and eased a shot into the goal to increase the Tar Heels' lead to two.

After a timeout to regroup, a rejuvenated Maryland squad came out for the last 15 minutes of the first half, taking over control of the game.

Maryland's Carissa Messimer took a feed from midfielder Katrin Rummer and fired a shot past UNC goalie Amy Tran to make the score 2-1 to start off the second half.

The Terps continued to test the Tar Heel defense, consistently forcing penalty corners and firing off six shots after the break.

Meanwhile, North Carolina's offense struggled, posting only two shots during the half, despite earning four penalty corners.

"If I had to point to one thing it would be corner execution," said Shelton. "We needed to score off our corners and we didn't do that in overtime or regulation."

With 18 minutes left in the half, Kateri Simon put it in the left side of the goal to tie the game.

Following a timeout with four minutes to play, the Tar Heels mounted one last attack, forcing three corners, but no goals.

UNC came out firing in the overtime period, forcing Hearsey to make two saves.

The game ended with 2:19 left in overtime when Messimer broke away from the pack and moved the ball around Tran to freshman Jackie Ciconte for an open net goal.

Despite the loss, senior Meredith Keller said she's just glad to have played in a game with such excitement and pressure involved.

"I wish the outcome had been different, but it was a really good feeling," said Keller. "It's why you play the game."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.