Field hockey team beats No. 3 UVa. to maintain No. 1 spot

Despite giving up two goals in one game for the first time all year, the No. 1 North Carolina field hockey team was able to survive a challenging weekend and stay undefeated.

Saturday afternoon the Tar Heels defeated No. 3 Virginia 3-2 and avoided a next-day slump on Sunday by beating James Madison 4-0.

The Virginia game was the first time all year that UNC gave up more than one goal as the Tar Heels faced their best opponent yet.

“It was a great test for us and I think what we demonstrated is that we’re one of the teams that can win a national championship,” UNC coach Karen Shelton said. “I know we’re ranked No. 1 and we’re undefeated, but by beating Virginia it said to ourselves, ‘Yeah, we’re right there.’”

The Tar Heels came out strong against UVa. as Kelsey Kolojejchick scored on a shot that hit off a Cavaliers defender and got past their goalie.

Less than three minutes later, Kolojejchick got the ball to the right of the goal, spun and juked a defender. She then snuck a pass by the oncoming goalie to find Katie Ardrey, who was posted on the left side and put it into the vacated net.

“I kind of don’t know what happened,” Kolojejchick said. “It’s just in the moment kind of things, I really don’t expect it but when I looked up I saw Kate right where she needed to be.”

UNC had a 2-0 lead at the half, but Virginia did not give up and scored twice in a seven-minute span to tie the game.

“Their first goal they had a great shot wide and they had a player on the far post so it was just a great executed shot by them,” UNC goalie Jackie Kintzer said. “The second goal there was a lot going on and a lot of scrambling in front of the cage, and they just happened to knock one in so it wasn’t pretty defense.”

Despite losing the lead, the Tar Heels responded as Kolojejchick scored her second goal of the game, deflecting in a Marta Malmberg flick on a penalty corner.

Shelton was very happy with the way her team responded after relinquishing a two-goal lead.

“The momentum tends to shift to the team that has crawled their way back,” Shelton said. “But I think our kids were mature and poised under pressure, and we were able to execute an outstanding penalty corner to win the game.”

After UNC defeated the high-ranked Virginia team, Shelton feared a let-down against James Madison on Sunday.

While the Tar Heels didn’t play their best, they still managed a 4-0 victory.

“We came out a little bit flat in the first half,” Shelton said. “But we made some key adjustments in the second half, and the kids came out with a little bit more heart and passion.”

UNC took an early lead when Elizabeth Drazdowski deflected in a Caitlin Van Sickle shot less than ten minutes into the game.

Meghan Dawson added a goal on a penalty corner later in the half, and the Tar Heels took control of the game.

In the second half Taryn Gjurich knocked home a rebound goal, and Jaclyn Radvany scored a beautiful goal after spinning away from a defender in the circle.

While Virginia was the team’s toughest challenge so far, UNC might be facing its biggest competition next weekend.

The Tar Heels will travel to College Park to face No. 2 Maryland on Saturday.

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.