After Kennedy Cliggett netted North Carolina’s second goal against Duke in the game's , the sophomore forward looked to her coach as she ran back to the center circle.
Head coach Karen Shelton flashed the signal.
With the approval of her mentor, Cliggett cranked out the Griddy, dancing her way around the turf while her teammates cheered on in UNC’s 2-0 win over the Blue Devils.
“Before every game, me and coach have a celebration ritual — we have to Griddy together,” Cliggett said. "During the whole week of practice, I was like, ‘If I score at Duke I’m definitely Griddying.’”
With the relaxed vibes seen late in the second period from the Tar Heels, some may assume North Carolina had dominated play throughout the game. Rather, it was Duke who came out punching first.
After denying UNC’s first possession, the Blue Devils worked their way down the outskirts of the pitch and drew the afternoon’s first penalty corner. The dominant assertion early on seemed unlikely considering Duke’s winless record in conference play, but Shelton was not surprised.
“We told them to expect this,” she said. We were (Duke’s) last shot and a way to redeem their season. We knew we were an opportunity for them.”
The Blue Devils’ ensuing shot was clubbed away by sophomore goalkeeper Abigail Taylor, shifting the momentum in favor of the Tar Heels.
Over the next 13 minutes, North Carolina controlled possession inside Duke's territory, putting pressure on the Blue Devils’ defense. After failing to convert its first two penalty corner attempts, North Carolina broke through on its third try as senior forward Erin Matson chopped the ball into the bottom left corner of the cage.
