Overtime field hockey win keeps team undefeated

If sports were scripted, No. 2 North Carolina’s overtime field hockey win Saturday over No.3 Virginia would win an Emmy.

The Tar Heels held a lead much of the game off an early goal manufactured by junior Elizabeth Drazdowski and senior captain Dani Forword. But they would need the tandem of Forword and Drazdowski again in overtime to fend off the rallying Cavaliers.

“It was a great team effort for us,” coach Karen Shelton said. “I?felt like we played a very smart game. Ball control was the key to the game, and I thought we did a better job of controlling the ball and controlling the tempo.”

North Carolina likes to score early. And just more than eight minutes into the game, Drazdowski answered the bell on a pass from Forword.

Forword had taken the ball into the scoring circle and then found Drazdowski at the right post, where she was able to slip it past Virginia goalie Kim Katsuk.

North Carolina wasn’t able to score again in regulation, although the Tar Heels had chances on six penalty corners, an aspect of UNC’s game that is usually strong.

Heading into the final minute of the game, Virginia had been held scoreless until Cavalier sophomore Paige Selenski scored with 36 seconds on the clock.

“Virginia is a very dangerous team and a formidable opponent,” Shelton said. “Their speed up front puts incredible pressure on opponents.”

Her goal was scored after UVa. sophomore Inga Stöckel shot the ball into the circle on a free hit. Selenski found it and hit in into the net for the tying goal.

Overtime commenced afterward. It was North Carolina’s first overtime game this season, and fittingly, it came against the toughest team it has played.

Shelton told her team, win or lose, the overtime experience would be good for them. But UNC didn’t lose, thanks once again to Forword.

“She’s been doing a great job, both a leader on the field and off the field,” Shelton said. “She’s just been doing everything we could ask of her. I couldn’t be prouder of Dani.”

On a penalty corner attempt, 13 minutes into overtime, Drazdowski stopped the push out, and Forword rocketed a shot into the goal.

The game was over, and North Carolina remained unbeaten.

“It was a very exciting game, probably our most exciting game of the year, against a top-three team, and we were playing at their home field,” Shelton said.

“I think our kids did a great job of trying to neutralize their strengths while enhancing ours. I’m really proud that we were able to beat them on their home field.”

After the win against Virginia, UNC played James Madison on Sunday and won in a 2-0 decision, cementing its record at 15-0.

“We look at every game as an opportunity to improve,” Shelton said. “One thing about this weekend is that it’s our last opportunity to play back-to-back games and gain experience that we hope can help us in the postseason.”


Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.