Midway through the second half of No. 2 North Carolina’s 14-11 victory against No. 5 Maryland, Beth Glaros scored the Terrapins’ fourth unanswered goal. Maryland was on a 5-1 run, controlling every draw and scoring quick goal after quick goal.
On senior day, the experience and composure of UNC’s seniors turned out to be exactly what the Tar Heels needed to restore order.
UNC managed to hold off a Maryland comeback and complete a perfect 5-0 season in the ACC, a feat North Carolina has never before accomplished.
“I thanked everybody immediately, and I said this was the best present probably as a senior, the last regular season game I’ll play out here,” Laura Zimmerman said.
“But as far as coming into the game, you’re focused on the game first and then looking to celebrate for the seniors after, so I’m really proud of everyone for staying focused.”
Kara Cannizzaro finished with a career-high five goals. Abbey Friend added another four, while Zimmerman scored a pair and assisted on another two.
In the first half, the Tar Heels jumped on the Terrapins early and kept their foot on the gas. Cannizzaro’s early hat trick gave UNC a 3-0 lead before Maryland’s defense managed to corral the Tar Heel attackers for long enough to allow its own offense to get going.
Terrapins Katie Schwarzmann and Karri Ellen Johnson scored a pair to draw within one, but Zimmerman and Brittney Coppa answered with goals of their own. At halftime, UNC’s goal cushion was five.
But in the second half, the Tar Heels didn’t look as strong. Maryland dominated the draws and managed to cut the deficit to two at 11-9.