Shealy scores game-winning goal against Wake Forest

A game-winning goal can be a memorable occasion for any athlete, but North Carolina freshman field hockey player Loren Shealy’s overtime score wasn’t just the golden goal of UNC’s 2-1 win — it was also the first of her career.

With 15 seconds remaining in the first sudden-death overtime period Sunday against Wake Forest, Shealy received a perfectly executed pass from junior Kelsey Kolojejchick and abruptly sealed the win.

The Tar Heels’ victory was especially crucial after the team lost 3-1 on Friday to No. 2 Old Dominion, its first loss of the season.

Shealy credited the extra time she had with her teammates during the spring semester before her freshman season with helping her deliver under pressure.

“It built up my confidence,” Shealy said. “I got to practice all spring with the team, playing spring scrimmages, and just getting comfortable on the field playing at such a high level.”

Each team had to deal with the fatigue inherent in seven-on-seven overtime, a reduction from 11 players per team in regulation, but Kolojejchick summoned up a last bit of energy to push the ball forward with only a minute remaining in overtime.

Coach Karen Shelton said she was glad her team battled in the last minute, rather than let time wind down and begin a second overtime period.

Although Wake Forest (1-6, 0-2) has struggled early this season, five of its losses came against teams that are currently ranked in the top 20 nationally. Its lone win came against then-ranked No. 16 Louisville.

The timeliness of Shealy’s first career goal impressed Shelton, but she said she was equally impressed with Kolojejchick’s decision to pass the ball instead of taking the shot herself.

“Kelsey likes to score, and she’s not shy about ripping it when she has the chance,” Shelton said. “She made the right decision to pass it to Shealy, who of course finished it in grand fashion.”

Sophomore Marta Malmberg scored the first goal of the game off a penalty corner in the 13th minute. She was assisted by junior Katie Ardrey and senior Teryn Brill.

UNC led at halftime 1-0, but Wake Forest knotted the score at one in the 40th minute on a goal from Taylor Rhea. Neither team would score again until Shealy’s goal in the 85th minute.

Sunday’s game was the first game in which only one goalie was used. Freshman Sassi Ammer played all 85 minutes and had three saves.

“We’ll continue to split, but if it’s a really close game, a tight game, I’m going to go with Sassi, at least for now,” Shelton said.

Though the Tar Heels have averaged 21.3 shots per game, they have had trouble getting the ball past the goalie. Four of the seven teams the Tar Heels have played so far have registered double-digit saves. Wake Forest had eight against North Carolina.

“We expect to take everybody’s best shot,” Shelton said. “It makes us better to have games like this.”

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