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(07/01/09 4:00am)
I've accepted the fact that soccer might never catch on in the U.S. I've accepted that by screaming at Jozy Altidore to do something other than jogging he will henceforth begin walking. I've even accepted that the only time I will see Freddy Adu on camera is during a quick pan of the bench.But I cannot accept that the U.S. national team lost the Confederations Cup final to Brazil 3-2. I know that seems hard to fathom. For starters you'll cite Brazil as one of the most talented teams in the world. A team filled with the likes of Kaka Robinho and Maicon. Heck the team crushed the Yanks basically a week before 3-0. But here's where you'd be wrong: Brazil has changed and definitely not for the better.For 90 minutes Sunday I watched a Brazilian team look nothing like its predecessors. For one the squad no longer plays the game in Joga Bonito style. Yes they still do some clever tricks and jukes but have you seen any Nike commercials lately advertising such play? Exactly. It's generally stopped as the Brazilians have begun to incorporate a more disciplined European style of soccer.Secondly Dunga the team's coach doesn't actually move or yell instructions during matches. I've honestly begun to wonder if the Brazilian soccer team warms up with a game of freeze tag and that a running joke is to use the last tag on Dunga. But in all seriousness journalists throughout the globe have been commenting about how little the Brazilian people like Dunga and the new soccer being played by the boys in yellow. I mean really could Dunga literally be getting less out of a team stockpiled with talent? Brazil soccer has essentially become Lamar Odom's career in a nutshell.ESPN commentator Alexi Lalas can spew about how giddy he is about American soccer all he wants but the fact is that the U.S. should never have been close in that game. Several Americans play in Europe — which is widely considered the mecca of club soccer — but only a select few make any noticeable contributions at the highest-tier clubs.The team's star Landon Donovan failed to catch on in Germany three times. Adu got traded — from a Major League Soccer team. Altidore made no appearances for a second division Spanish club.Yes the Brazilians rallied admirably in the second half but if anything the win can be attributed to the lack of a U.S. bench and to the team's endurance. Even with a shaky squad the win was America's for the taking.Although there's still plenty of time until next summer's World Cup Sunday's result has to leave even the most dedicated Brazilian fans on shaky ground. They just barely beat the U.S. and that in itself must be hard to accept.Contact Chris Hempson at hempson@email.unc.edu.
(07/01/09 4:00am)
It's not every day that an NBA legend compares himself to a league rookie. But that's exactly what happened with Tyler Hansbrough. After being selected as the 13th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft last Thursday Hansbrough found himself face to face with Indiana Pacers president and now his boss Larry Bird at an introductory conference for the team's fans.Although Hansbrough will not be known for his 3-point prowess or his constant ability to score in the clutch at least not yet anyway" Bird still made the dramatic statement.""(Hansbrough's draft situation) reminds me of when I came out" Bird said Friday to fans. There was always this skepticism that I wouldn't be able to play in this league against these players. Tyler's got some of that going right now" but he'll be fine.""If the similarities between the pair continue" he most certainly will. Both are from small towns. Both could have left college early but returned to play for national titles. Both were known as tireless competitors. And both had their athleticism questioned time and again.But when Bird came to the NBA the doubts didn't matter. He became one of the most dynamic shooters in the league's history while registering 12 all-star appearances.Though it's unlikely for Hansbrough to duplicate such successes as a low-post scorer it's not entirely unfathomable to think that he can be an NBA starter. With his selection by Indiana Hansbrough finds himself playing once again in an up-tempo type offense. Having excelled in such a previous situation while at UNC the Pacers could have found a key contributor with their lottery selection.Three more Tar Heels found themselves being chosen though none as high as Hansbrough. Five picks after the former UNC forward's selection North Carolina's speedy point guard Ty Lawson saw his name surprisingly come off the board.The shock wasn't that Lawson was picked so high but rather that the Minnesota Timberwolves were the ones doing so having already picked two point guards with the No. 5 and No. 6 choices. UNC coach Roy Williams evidently felt the same way as he was caught by ESPN cameras looking puzzled while holding three fingers in the air. Shortly thereafter" the Timberwolves cleared up any confusion and traded Lawson away to the Denver Nuggets. ""Ty Lawson" going to Denver playing behind a guy like Chauncey Billups I think he's going to be a heck of a backup and a solid player" basketball analyst Dick Vitale said in an ESPN interview after Lawson's trade to Denver was announced.Unfortunately for Lawson, the trade meant that he wouldn't get a chance to continue playing with Wayne Ellington — who was also picked by Minnesota at pick No. 28.With a logjam at point guard in Minnesota, Lawson appears to be in a better situation with the Nuggets. He'll get to learn from Billups and excel off the bench with his speed. Ellington, on the other hand, figures to do just fine with his new team. The Timberwolves management has suggested that the team will play with a smaller, faster type squad. If that holds true, Ellington should crack the rotation with his excellent spot-up shot.(The Timberwolves) are going to get a guy who can score and a guy who can shoot who's getting better at putting it on the floor" Williams said in an interview with ESPN after Ellington's selection. Rebounding" he's doing better. He's doing better defensively. But the bottom line is he can score."" The final Tar Heel choice of the night came when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Danny Green in the second round. Although Green will find cracking the Cavs' rotation a predicament early on" he at least figures to be a prominent member of the team's pregame theatrics.With LeBron James widely known for his comedic skits along with newcomer Shaquille O'Neal" Cleveland figures to be loaded with laughs. And with Green having already achieved legendary status in Chapel Hill for his ""Jump Around"" routine" it doesn't appear too farfetched for another NBA great in James to try comparing himself — albeit his dance moves — to another Tar Heel.Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(06/20/09 4:00am)
It ended as it seemingly always had.
(06/10/09 4:00am)
It wasn't supposed to be this easy. Hyped as one of the top Super Regionals in the country the North Carolina-East Carolina series seemed bound to bring the drama.Instead the only thing many fans saw Sunday were curtain calls in a 9-3 UNC victory. There was one for ACC Player of the Year Dustin Ackley. Another for third baseman Kyle Seager. Two more for seniors Adam Warren and Garrett Gore.Heck even coach Mike Fox got into the act — as he admitted to letting himself act more loosely than he ever had during his team's three previous Super Regional titles.He didn't join the post-game pileup but he did raise his arms to pump up the crowd after the game's conclusion. When Gore blasted a gargantuan homer in his last-ever at-bat at Boshamer Stadium Fox appeared to put his hands on his head in disbelief.He even threw in a joke during the post-game press conference" though that's not too unusual.""I always like coming to these things with my shoes and socks wet. That's a good thing"" said Fox, referring to the bucket of water thrown on him after the series-clinching win. They're soaked right now.""They sure are. And with good reason.The Tar Heels clinched their fourth consecutive Super Regional series and now advance to the College World Series. They even etched the program into the history of the ACC — becoming the conference's first team to advance to the CWS in four consecutive seasons.After a scintillating performance Saturday by pitcher Alex White in a 10-1 win" Warren took the mound. In 7 1/3 innings of work he delivered.Although the box score will show him allowing three runs on eight hits the righty retired 15 of 17 batters at one point and only really started to struggle in the seventh. And by then" the game was once again out of reach.""Today" I just tried to go out there and throw strikes" Warren said. I tried not to let it get in my head that this was my last start in this stadium.""For several North Carolina players" it likely was. And each made sure to go out in a memorable fashion.There was White a likely top-ten pick in the MLB Draft working through injuries to beat his hometown program Saturday.There was Warren escaping jams in the latter innings while striking out eight.There was Gore going 4 for 5 Sunday — including the home run off a pitch he guessed was coming.And there was Ackley — the team's best player and arguably the top collegiate talent in the nation. Although he batted a modest .250 for the weekend the first baseman came through when it mattered most.With UNC ahead 4-0 Sunday" the junior provided the game's dagger as he reached across the plate and hit a line-drive three-run homer.""It was a 3-2 slider" which Seth Simmons has the best pitch on our team Pirates coach Billy Godwin said. (Ackley) got out on his front foot" stayed back. There's a reason he's one of the best hitters in college baseball. It was just a great job against a very good pitch.""The same could be said for UNC on the day" as once again" the Tar Heels are off to Omaha.""The journey we have been on is pretty amazing" Fox said. We'll go out there and we'll do everything we can to soak it all in and play as hard as we can. That's going to be our mindset. It was the first year" and it's going to be this one.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu
(06/03/09 4:00am)
The top of the third inning on Saturday started as uneventfully as it gets.With UNC holding a 2-0 lead against Coastal Carolina all-ACC pitcher Alex White toed the rubber.The first batter he faced grounded out to third. And although he allowed a single right after the junior produced a flyout for out No. 2. But from there things got dicey.He hit CCU's Tyler Bortnick. Then he threw a wild pitch. Then another. And to top it off he walked a batter.All told he allowed three runs that frame. And though such a performance is rarely a cause for alarm" the fact that White was battling a blister on his finger and a tweaked hamstring surely is.""We got to get Alex healthy"" coach Mike Fox said. We'll monitor that situation.""Such a statement doesn't exactly scream out ""panic"" but if the Tar Heels are to make their fourth straight trip to Omaha and the College World Series, a dominant — or at least effective — White is probably going to be a must.Senior Adam Warren went for 6 2/3 innings in the regional final and will probably be counted upon for one start during this weekend's super regional against East Carolina. But that appearance won't come until game two of the series — as Fox tries to give Warren enough rest.We got Adam out as soon as we could — pitch-count wise — because we don't know when we're going to play"" Fox said Sunday. Two days later, that changed. The NCAA assigned UNC's super regional a Saturday start date. And in reaction, Fox named White his opening starter.After strong pitching performances ensued during the team's two previous meetings, the choice of the Greenville-native seems logical. The teams combined for eight runs, though the likelihood of such an occurrence happening again is quite unlikely.ECU boasts a team average of .341 at the plate – good for 14th in the nation. Six of its hitters have gone yard 11 or more times. The squad ranks fifth in hits in the NCAA.And after UNC scored 31 runs during its regional, such signs point to an offensive struggle — making White's appearance all the more key. We have similar teams" and I think we're playing our best baseball right now" Warren said. Hopefully that carries over to next weekend.""Contact the sports editor at sports@unc.edu.
(06/03/09 4:00am)
Rewind past the stunning win against Maryland in the Final Four. Skip over the two March victories against top-five opponents.Look past the unlucky weather that quite possibly cost UNC an early-season win against No.1 Northwestern.And stop at the preseason camping trip to Lutherock near Boone.It was there that the women's lacrosse team enjoyed a weekend together that would help set the tone for a season filled with exceeded expectations. Along with team chats to learn about each other off the field and a fiery display of the basketball game Knockout by freshman Laura Zimmerman" the Tar Heel squad also partook in a team-building exercise.""We did an obstacle course-like thing"" junior Jenn Russell said. We had to climb up this wall. ""A lot of people — including myself — we're terrified and did not want to do it. But we just decided that the whole team was going to do it" and everyone was going to help each other out" she said.From there, well, the lacrosse part seemed relatively easy.After entering the season ranked No. 9 in the country, the North Carolina team went on a tear never before seen in school history. Yes, they suffered early-season losses against NU and Penn, but they followed with eight straight victories. We kind of took each game one at a time" but by the end of the season we were like ‘Oh my god. I can't believe this is happening"'"" Russell said.Still" in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament the team got a wakeup call — losing 14-4 to Duke.It seemed that their magical season might end early in the NCAAs after such a dreary performance. But then North Carolina won. Then again — advancing to the Final Four after losing in the quarterfinals the four previous times.Problem was the undefeated Maryland Terrapins stood in the way of the program's first-ever trip to the national championship game.There was no way North Carolina would win again right?Especially after a first half that saw the Terps run their offensive plays effortlessly and efficiently — scoring four goals.But so too had the Tar Heels and when the second half began" UNC eventually slid ahead and won.""It's not always pretty" Russell said. But we have really talented hardworking people" and it just worked out.""North Carolina had finally made the national championship for the first time in the program's history.""I will always have a special bond with my teammates because we accomplished something together"" Russell said. It was special. It was great.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(05/27/09 4:00am)
TOWSON Md. — They didn't know what to say.Coach Jenny Levy knelt on the sideline. Goalkeeper Logan Ripley turned and faced away from the field. Senior Amber Falcone walked back to the midfield circle.None of them could ever have fathomed that this would occur. That in the pinnacle of women's lacrosse the NCAA Championship they would match the worst loss in UNC history — a margin of 14.It was unimaginable. It was incomprehensible. But the way Northwestern was playing quite frankly the 21-7 defeat was unavoidable.So even in the first half there they were blank-faced and emotionless" most seemingly unaware of their surroundings.Each was in the midst of being thoroughly blitzed by a 10-0 Wildcat run. A run that would leave no doubt as to who is the best team in the nation. A run that left many scrambling to put this Northwestern team in a historical light but left UNC struggling for respectability.""It kind of got to the point where we just wanted to keep our heads up and keep going at it" Falcone said. Give them everything we had until the end. Unfortunately it wasn't going our way. There wasn't much to say. We knew what was going on" and we knew what we had to fix.""Moments after Kristen Carr lost the opening draw" there was Northwestern's Hilary Bowen charging at the goal. But with UNC defender Meredith Newton in her way she had no opening. Yet somehow the Tar Heel sophomore slipped and there was the first tally. The first of several to put it lightly.Newton slowly rose to her feet as Falcone called the defensive group together — apparently searching for answers for something that might reassure a team unknowingly on the edge of disaster. Ripley banged the post with her stick once an action that would become habitual by day's end.Three minutes in and there was Northwestern's second. Six minutes later" another. Fifteen seconds more — boom — another.""It was 4-2" and the thing I was noticing was we were having quick possessions on offense and we were turning the ball over on unforced errors said Levy of her team's eight first-half giveaways. If you play Northwestern" you can't do that.""The North Carolina coaching staff tried any and everything to adjust" but to no avail.They paced. They panted. They told the team to not try and save the world. Nothing worked.Northwestern scored their first 15 goals on 17 shots. They had scored 10 straight without a UNC response.Such was the Tar Heels' misfortune that after a Wildcat goal made it 11-2 a yellow card issued to freshman Laura Zimmerman gave Northwestern possession again — a possession that quickly led to another subsequent score.Ripley could do nothing to prevent the onslaught. Even with Levy talking and encouraging her during media timeouts the shots were just too high" time after time.""Unfortunately" we weren't getting saves in the cage that we've gotten this year" Levy said. Logan's been great all year. At times we've made mistakes this year on defense that we've been able to recover from. ""The looks they were getting on cage were high percentage"" so we weren't giving Logan a lot of opportunities to save the ball.""When it mattered most" even in the most successful season in the program's history" victory was thoroughly taken from the team's grasp.""I think emotionally it's hard on anyone to end your season in a game like this" junior Jenn Russell said. But we've done a great job this year" and I'm proud to be a part of this team.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu
(05/20/09 4:00am)
Amber Falcone wanted — heck expected — to be playing in Maryland again. After a second-half collapse in April against Maryland the All-American defender — along with the rest of the North Carolina team — was looking for redemption. They thought they'd make amends by fulfilling their season-long goal: qualifying for the women's lacrosse Final Four. And as this year's site is the University of Towson — located in Maryland — they knew they could be making a return trip north.What they didn't know was that they'd be playing the Terrapins again. Yes Falcone knew it was a possibility. As the No. 3 seed UNC would be expected to play No. 2 Maryland once more. But that would only occur if the tournament played out according to plan — which rarely if ever occurs.Well" it did. ""We didn't really care who we played" but it's great (to play them) Falcone said. Once we knew (after beating Notre Dame)" we were really excited and lucky to have the option of playing Maryland again.""Friday night" the Tar Heels will get another chance. But based off the previous result it certainly won't be easy.In that matchup" North Carolina entered on an eight-game winning streak. UNC played the Terps to an even first half — 5-5. Then the next half got under way.""In the second" we got a little impatient and didn't do a good job taking care of the ball coach Jenny Levy said. If you do that against Maryland" they'll make you pay.""In the last go around" the Tar Heels turned the ball over 18 times. Eight occurred in the second half — leading in part to the Terrapins stretching their margin to 11-6.With Maryland sporting prolific scorers in Caitlyn McFadden and Karri Ellen Johnson the Tar Heels have to keep possession to minimize the pair's chances. Johnson a freshman ranks third in the nation in goals with 70. McFadden on the other hand shows up in spot 25.And last game" each made sure their ranking wasn't perceived as a fluke. Johnson dominated with four goals while McFadden added two. ""I think overall" we played a lot of defense in that last game" Levy said. I wish we had done a better job with our possessions.""Still" there is certainly room for optimism at UNC's chances.For starters North Carolina sported one of the nation's hardest schedules. Secondly many people have already plugged in a Maryland-Northwestern championship game. Both teams are undefeated and known nationally. The Tar Heels meanwhile have slid under the radar and naturally are underdogs. So now just comes Friday. UNC got its wish. They're back in Maryland. Heck" they're even playing the Terps.""There's not much you need to say to the kids" Levy said. They've prepared" they've worked hard and they deserve to be there.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(05/13/09 4:00am)
CHARLOTTE — So it was only the third inning. And granted it is the regular season. But the three outs seen in the bottom of the frame were about as dramatic as they come.Here's the situation: North Carolina misses a double-play opportunity — leaving UNC-Charlotte with men on first and second. Tar Heel starter Patrick Johnson walks the next batter" so now the bases are loaded.Enter North Carolina reliever Brian Moran.""When you get in that situation" you're just hoping to limit the damage" coach Mike Fox said. Don't get a three- or four-run inning. One run would have been great.""Well" how about zero? For that's just what occurred. The junior delivered No. 5 UNC from a jam" and the Tar Heels escaped with a 4-1 victory against the 49ers (30-19).""I've got a little bit of experience in those situations"" Moran said. I was able to stay calm and make some good pitches.""That's saying it lightly. Here's saying it literally.In the bottom of the third" Moran starts off against Charlotte outfielder Alan Parks. A couple sliders later Parks is sitting on the bench.UNC-C shortstop Grant Bomann is up next. Same result.By now a packed Hayes Stadium is in an uproar. And with good reason. The 49ers will eventually squander 13 runners on the day – including the three runners currently on base.Junior Mike Perkins follows and though he stretches the count to three balls and no strikes" he meets the same fate as his predecessors.""Brian's been incredible for us all year long"" Fox said. He has the ability to stay with his rhythm and stay with his mechanics. We needed that tonight.""Three men up with no outs. Three men down with the scoreboard still showing goose eggs.""It was a great performance"" junior Dustin Ackley said. He's one of those guys that goes out there and gets the job done.""Still" not all the game's storylines were that unique. The always-dependable Ackley theme arose.As usual the first baseman stuffed the box score and reached base in nearly every at-bat. And for good measure" he even provided the dramatics with a game-winning two-run single.""He is the most incredible player I have ever watched over three years"" Fox said. He just has that knack for moving the ball. He finds holes. He's just got that natural swing.""Although the play helped UNC's (39-13) final tally" his first at-bat was just as impressive.In the top of the first the All-America came up with two outs. Though the inning proved meaningless in the Tar Heel scorecard Ackley worked a nine-pitch at-bat en route to a single.Before his smash up the middle" the junior fouled off four consecutive pitches – basically refusing to take a seat in the North Carolina dugout. ""He just shows up every day to play" Fox said. He never takes a day off. He is an amazing" amazing player.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(04/23/09 4:00am)
With 20 minutes remaining in the April 17 game against Duke UNC midfielder Jenn Russell lay face down near the UNC goal.Team captain Amber Falcone sat next to her frantically waving at the Tar Heel sideline for assistance.In a game that had seen hockey-like checks and what was basically a football tackle from senior Kelly Taylor on the Devils' Caroline Spearman this was different.Sure enough" sprinting across the field was the UNC team dentist.""My teeth went through my gum"" Russell said Sunday. It was a little bit of a setback. It kind of shook me a little.""That might be" but it certainly didn't affect her sense of humor.Shortly after she was carried to the sideline Russell was visited by Megan Bosica. Instead of asking about Russell's condition" the UNC junior had but five words:""We need you out here.""Russell could only grin with surprise at the remark. ""Uh" I'm not even cleared" she said.Eventually she was, and her effort helped pave the way to a North Carolina victory, 9-7.After the game, several players talked about the energy and enjoyment that goes along with playing a skilled, physical team such as Duke.Problem is, the rivals are scheduled to meet only once a season.But not this year.Thanks to Duke's win against Boston College in the ACC Tournament, the pair will meet in the semifinals tonight.We prepare for both teams" but personally I would love to play Duke again junior Kristen Taylor said Thursday before the matchup was finalized. It was a great game last time" and we match up really well with them.""She'll get her wish" along with the rest of the team.This time No. 2 seed Tar Heels (13-3 4-1 ACC) and No. 3 seed Duke (12-4 3-2) will meet in Blacksburg Va. home of Virginia Tech.Though the team started fast last game — going up 2-0 early — the crowd noise seemed to get to UNC and it finished the half sloppily.A goal by senior Chelsea Parks with 32 seconds remaining gave the Tar Heels a much needed momentum shift and from there" they would not be denied the win.Russell was huge — scoring two goals — while Bosica added the game winner.But the outcome was unclear until Taylor's rocket put UNC up two.""I like to think" ‘Catching first and then shooting second.' Otherwise I overthink it she said. For the most part I just think to keep moving" because that's our main focus on offense.""After working on her shot before the game" Taylor said she hoped to be in rhythm during crunch time. Coach Jenny Levy stressed offensive attempts in practice this year and Taylor made sure to deliver.And now one week later" comes the rematch.""I loved (the Duke game)"" Russell said Sunday. It taught us that we just need to be the ones finishing games.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(04/02/09 4:00am)
With less than five seconds remaining in a tied East Regional Championship Villanova's Scottie Reynolds scampered across halfcourt.Instead of settling for a pull-up from outside he ducked through the lane — easily crossing over Pittsburgh's DeJuan Blair in the process.As his foot hit the free throw line the Wildcat point guard picked up his dribble and threw skyward an improbable floater that sunk.The game's shining moment the ultimate in clutch plays.But from Reynolds — well" it's expected.""He's made a lot of plays like that"" Villanova coach Jay Wright said Monday. One of his great characteristics is he never fears failure.""This year" as a junior Reynolds has really grown into a flair for the dramatic. Although double-teamed sporadically on the wing the Wildcat point guard still managed 40 points and 31 points against Seton Hall and Providence" respectively — games that both were decided by only four. ""He is a special kid" Wright said. I think any of us in coaching that have any success" we're all doing the same thing.""Some of us get blessed to have special kids"" and that's what brings you to these unique situations. …""That's what Scottie Reynolds has been for us.""But the Wildcats are hardly a one-man show.When Reynolds penetrates to the hole" a help-side defender generally slides over leaving either Dante Cunningham or Dwayne Anderson wide open.The two senior frontcourt members are more than adequate from close range — with Cunningham even having a smooth mid-range jumper that's led to a team-high 16.2 points per game. But with Villanova offensive efficiency is never a question. It was the team's defense that was knocked throughout the year.As the tournament got underway" those perceptions quickly changed. ""We always just want to play harder than the other team" whatever the situation is" Cunningham said Monday.We never let what happens in a game or outside of the game affect how we play.""Against Duke in the Sweet 16" the Wildcats held a usual surefire squad to 26.7 percent shooting — including a miserable 18.5 percent from 3-point range.Wright's high-octane defense constantly shifts with Cunningham and Anderson as the frustrating catalysts.Plus with each wing player having the ability to collapse during an opponent's penetration few openings are found.Reynolds fits the parameters perfectly as does sophomore six-man Corey Fisher and swingman Reggie Redding. Each provides an experienced ball-handler and a constant in-your-face annoyance on defense. Come crunch time both attributes will prove pivotal. But then again so too will Reynolds. As in the Pittsburgh game" expect No. 1 to get the ball if it's close late.""He's making a lot of plays that other people are afraid to make"" Wright said.And he's got a great inner confidence. He really is a special kid. He never seizes to amaze me.""
(03/15/09 4:00am)
Women's basketballSouth Dakota - 69UNC - 75
(03/02/09 5:00am)
Twice in two days the North Carolina women's lacrosse team took the field to play Northwestern. Problem was Monday's was the only game that counted.After the Tar Heels took a 4-2 lead in the original contest Sunday a weather-induced cancellation forced the rescheduled game Monday to start at 0-0.This time the hot start went to NU along with the game" as the No. 1 Wildcats won 12-7.""Unfortunately" the officials decided that the field situation was unsafe (Sunday) UNC coach Jenny Levy said. Both teams wanted to continue playing. We would've liked to keep the game going" for sure.""But if they call the game — unless you play it later that day — you have to start back at 0-0."" The rule allowed the team's roles to reverse Monday" as Northwestern (5-0) scored a 4-2 lead early.And though the conditions at Fetzer Field forced the game to be played amid a backdrop of snow at Henry Stadium no further cancellation materialized.Still for some on the No. 9 UNC team" the scoreboard switch left bittersweet tastes in their mouths.""I was thinking we have them" we can definitely take them junior Megan Bosica said.I was really excited that we were up 4-2. It was nice giving them a little taste of ‘right now we're ahead of you' … Just letting them know" there's another team out there that can hang with them.""Bosica did her part early" and as the attacker put in two first-half shots to help the Tar Heels erase a three-goal deficit.But early in the second half this momentum went into disarray and the UNC defense could not withstand a Wildcat barrage. In 16 minutes" the Tar Heels let in six unanswered goals.""We had an opportunity to make it 8-7 and if we had maybe done that" maybe we would have taken another step to keep it close Levy said. We had a period where we just lost our focus and we had quick possessions offensively" where we were trying to do much with the ball instead of just settling down.""On the other side of the field" North Carolina goalkeeper Logan Ripley was up to the task as she made four saves to keep UNC close.After NU's Shannon Smith scored to put the Wildcats up five Ripley showed off one of her best. The junior keeper made a sensational fast break block" thrusting her stick skyward for the save.But by this time the Tar Heels already were trailing 11-6. Northwestern's best defense had been its offensive production.""They're big" they're fast and they come hard through senior Amber Falcone said. There were a couple mistakes" but nothing we can't stop. Hopefully we see them again.""Levy attributed part of the problem to youth" with UNC's seven turnovers and 10 fouls in the second period not truly indicative of the team's overall struggles.And after such a promising start to the previous day" such a reversal would seem difficult to imagine.""It's hard looking up at the scoreboard and seeing it's 12-7" knowing ‘Oh gosh we were so close and it just went away""" Bosica said.Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(02/23/09 5:00am)
Every practice North Carolina women's lacrosse coach Jenny Levy tries to start the team's workout with an up-tempo drill.Not only does it force a pace that most teams can't endure but the speed of play creates scoring chances for UNC right away.This weekend against Oregon and Richmond" Levy's method paid off as the No. 9 Tar Heels (3-0) raced to victories of 15-7 and 15-8.""It's really important for us this season to get out of the gates quickly"" Levy said. The past two years I feel like we've been a slow-starting team and had to battle our way back.""Not this weekend.On Friday" it was a 5-0 blitz of the Oregon Ducks that saw five different Tar Heels score in the game's first 15 minutes.Two days later a bombardment from juniors Kristen Taylor" Megan Bosica and Jenn Russell shocked the Richmond Spiders. ""I think that's something we've all embraced as a team"" Taylor said. Get right out there. Don't wait for anything. Use the warmup to get ready to go so when the first whistle blows we can bust right out of the box.""It seems as though Taylor took her own words to heart.Less than two minutes into Sunday's match against Richmond" Taylor slowly jogged 10 yards from the sideline.As a Spider defender closed in on her the junior attacker sprang into action.Without a moment's hesitation Taylor cradled an incoming pass and raced toward the near post. As she entered the 8-meter arc" she spun a half circle and whipped a shot into the corner.""If it wasn't me" someone else was going to do it Taylor said. I think it's been good for our team to get on the board right away so the defense can take risks" and we just build confidence.""That someone might have been Bosica.After being named one of the team's three captains this year" the attacker netted a pair of two goal and two assists in the weekend's games.On Sunday Bosica took the initiative. In the game's opening minutes she flew into the arc feinted to the right to pass her defender and ripped a shot to the low corner for the game's second score.And the barrage wasn't over.Four minutes into the second period Bosica darted a shot behind her back into the netting.It gave the Tar Heels a 9-3 lead and the ultimate capper on a weekend full of quick" precise strikes.""(Teams) have to adjust to us" Levy said. Any time a team's adjusting to what we do" that's a good day.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(02/11/09 5:00am)
SOFTBALL
UNC-Wilmington – 0
UNC – 8
(02/10/09 5:00am)
The questions persisted all week.What would North Carolina do against Duke without Erlana Larkins and LaToya Pringle?With the Blue Devils sporting all-everything Chante Black in the post the doubts were well-deserved. As Duke's only double figure scorer and leading rebounder Black looked primed for a monster game.But less than two minutes into the first half these assumptions quickly went away.As Black took a pass in the post and turned to shoot" she came face-to-face with a Tar Heel who would follow her the rest of the night.Jessica Breland.""She is an unbelievable shot-blocker"" UNC coach Sylvia Hatchell said. She does a great job with it.""Each time Black called and pleaded for a pass inside during the first half" there was Breland. She might not have been the primary defender" but Black certainly won't forget about her — or the 26.7 percent shooting night Breland gave her.""She has unbelievable timing in there" Hatchell said. And that psychologically does something to players. They start thinking ‘Where is she" where is she?'""But it wasn't just Breland's inside star-shadowing that left the Blue Devils flustered. The junior made her presence known in all facets of the game.In addition to several stadium-jarring blocks" Breland mustered six steals 14 points and an assist.And with North Carolina scavenging for points all throughout the first it might have been Breland's ability to throw outlet passes that mattered most early.With the Tar Heels constantly facing a Blue Devil full-court press Breland was counted on again and again to get UNC out of pressure.At one point midway through the first Breland grabbed a rebound and — with two defenders in her face — threw a chest pass to Italee Lucas" who began a fastbreak that would lead to three points.""I thought that was one of the biggest differences in the game"" Hatchell said, is that we broke the press and scored off it.""When Breland wasn't leading the break" she was sure to finish it.During a 10-0 momentum-swinging run to end the first Breland stood positioned just inside the 3-point arch. As point guard Cetera DeGraffenreid darted inside the lane Breland stepped forward. DeGraffenreid spotted her and quickly kicked out.The score didn't touch the rim.Still if this night will be remembered for one thing it will be Breland on the boards.To maintain the high standards that Larkins and Pringle left" Breland had to garner the one statistic Hatchell has hampered on her team all season: rebounding.And with 23 rebounds — the most for UNC since Charlotte Smith's total in the 1994 NCAA Championship — she certainly delivered.""Coach Hatchell asked for 15" and I was going for 15 Breland said. With 15 minutes left on the clock in the second half I was like ‘OK" I got 15 more minutes to rebound.""And then six minutes"" ‘I got six more minutes to rebound.'""I was just really focusing on rebounding" because she said if we win the boards" we win the game.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(02/02/09 5:00am)
Due to a reporting error the caption with this story misstated what is North Carolina's final nonconference game of the season. The Tar Heels play South Dakota on March 15. The Daily Tar Heel apologizes for the error.For more than 14 minutes Sunday against N.C. Central Italee Lucas couldn't miss.Five times she hoisted up 3-point shots and five times the net swished true. About the only thing hotter than her effort was the play of No. 10 North Carolina (19-3) as a whole and the Tar Heels crushed the Lady Eagles 98-45 on 54.9 percent shooting.Still" Lucas wasn't alone in her shooting prowess as four bench players contributed to a 14-0 UNC run in the game's first four minutes.""After the losses" we had some practices where I about killed them coach Sylvia Hatchell said. They didn't enjoy those practices" so hopefully they made an impact on them and they don't want to go there any more.""The team's scoring difference against NCCU (8-15) allowed Hatchell to experiment with her lineup" and all 14 players garnered at least nine minutes.Juniors Christina DeWitt and Trinity Bursey were the main benefactors of this system. Both saw early action when Hatchell subbed out all her starters 55 seconds into the game.Moments after her entrance Dewitt slid in a jumper. For the next Tar Heel score" Bursey swished home a long 3-pointer. ""It's a lot of things that happen in practice" where they help get us better or even (them) working hard now to challenge us senior Rashanda McCants said. It's kind of the small things that make a big difference" and I think they played very well.""Even with all the attention to a balanced output"" Hatchell's usual starters still made an impact.Lucas started the show.""When I hit the first one" I kind of felt like it was going to be a good night she said. I just continue to shoot on my own time" and it's paying off.""As fellow sophomore Cetera DeGraffenreid gathered the opening tip" Lucas calmly found a position in her new home for the first half — behind the arc.Seconds later DeGraffenreid found her and the barrage began as Lucas netted her first 3-pointer of the afternoon.Of the starters McCants in particular put together another impressive output with 14 points" four assists and four rebounds. ""The main thing I really work on in games now is rebounding" McCants said. If I'm rebounding" I'm feeling good.""She quietly mixed together a soft jumper and some easy layups before making one last crowd-pleasing play upon exiting.With just less than nine minutes remaining in the second" DeGraffenreid stood dribbling outside the 3-point arc. As she picked up her dribble" McCants darted around a screen and cut to the basket.DeGraffenreid lobbed the ball toward the hoop as a streaking McCants banked in a perfect alley-oop. It was the type of rim-attacking play the team has missed — the type of play that Hatchell hopes to become a mainstay once more as the team heads forward into a difficult patch of ACC play. ""(The offensive aggressiveness) is just a mentality" she said. That's the way our teams have always been" and I think we've gotten away from that in the last month or so.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(01/30/09 5:00am)
Jessica Breland stood waiting directly at halfcourt.Opposite her Wake Forest's Courteney Morris dribbled the ball to meet her at the start of another second-half possession.By now Morris had to know what was coming — a Cetera DeGraffenreid double-team at midcourt — but still she threw a hesitant pass that was nearly stolen.Time after time Thursday UNC implemented full and half-court traps that gave the Demon Deacons fits.And although in past games — Connecticut especially — this tactic proved ineffective" this time the Tar Heels found magic in the press and forced 11 steals.""We started out picking them up full-court man-to-man" coach Sylvia Hatchell said. (We were) just trying to wear them down trying to put pressure on them" make them use some time and them not be able to make baskets.""Less than three minutes in" UNC already had five takeaways. The usual ball-hawkers Italee Lucas and DeGraffenreid were up to their old tricks.At one point during the stretch Lucas pressured a Demon Deacons' in-bounds play. As the in-bounder searched for an opening" Lucas stuck close to the opposing guard. But as soon as the ball entered play — woosh — Lucas ripped the pass and dished an assist to the open McFarland for two.""They told me to face guard No. 2 (Alex Tchangoue)" Lucas said. I saw she was laying the ball out in front" and I took advantage of that by taking it out.""Still" even when Hatchell went away from Lucas to the bench the trapping stayed strong.Freshman She'la White formed a dynamic tag-team with DeGraffenreid several times in the first half as the pair harassed and hassled.In fact on one occasion a Wake Forest in-bounder grew weary of an impending five-second violation and simply threw the ball forward. Whether it was a prayer or a smart play White was the beneficiary as the ball came right to her" leading to two of UNC's 20 points off turnovers. ""If you're at an athletic disadvantage" which almost every team is against Carolina then structure has to offset speed and athleticism" said Wake Forest coach Mike Petersen.You're not going to play a game against Carolina and not turn the ball over. It's not going to happen.""Things got so good for the Tar Heels' pressure that junior Christina Dewitt even tried to in-bound a Wake Forest possession before the referee stopped play and gave the ball to an actual Demon Deacon.And even though it was Lucas who paced UNC with 27 points" it was Breland with the impressive all-round showing.After spraining her ankle against Maryland on Sunday Breland returned to practice to find Hatchell with a quote from one of the UNC men's basketball players which said that the person at the top of the press sets the tone.Though Breland didn't tally any steals her length and effort closed any passing lanes giving her teammates easy takeaways.It left Hatchell pleased" and the overall team pressure even left a parting impression on Petersen.""We knew they would be mobile" agile and hostile" he said. That's who they are.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(01/26/09 5:00am)
With Clay Donato's doubles contest at match point a hard-flying return came from James Madison's Jared Robinson.Effortlessly Donato calmly stepped forward and whipped a liner perfectly inside the left baseline.The point and match were won and in much the same fashion so was the team's day.As far as season openers go they don't come much easier as the No. 20 North Carolina men's tennis team (2-0 0-0) easily rolled to two victories Sunday against UNC-Charlotte and James Madison winning 5-2 and 7-0" respectively.""I thought we played better our second match (against JMU)" we had a little bit more intensity coach Sam Paul said.The first match you're nervous. It's the first match for a lot of the kids" and in the second we just had better intensity.""After playing much of last year at No. 3 singles" Donato opened the spring season without trouble in his new role at No. 1.In his singles match against the Dukes' Mike Smith Donato started off the set with a bang breaking Smith on his first serve.The momentum continued as Donato used his vastly improved net play to keep Smith off guard all night winning 6-1 6-1.And after dismantling the 49ers' Ricky Cuellar 6-1 6-3 earlier in the day" it's evident Donato has a bright season ahead.""I beat the No. 9 guy in the country" the No. 20 guy in the country so I feel like I belong here Donato said.I've just been working on hitting the ball heavier from the baseline trying to work the point a little bit more until I get the short ball" and I can attack and come to the net. I'm starting to see the results now.""On a team filled with youth — five freshmen saw action Sunday — the Tar Heels' senior leader" Taylor Fogleman struggled late.After teaming with Donato in two 8-0 doubles victories Fogleman was challenged in his No. 2 singles match against JMU's Robinson.The experienced lefty quickly took the first set but faced a back-and-forth contest in the second before winning the match 6-0" 7-5.""I kind of got a little bit lazy" to be honest Fogleman said. After I'm getting on somebody" I have the tendency to take my foot off the pedal just a little bit.""I would've loved to keep rolling and that didn't happen. Still"" I was pretty pleased.""Earlier" Andrew Crone provided one of the few Tar Heel blemishes on the day when he fell to UNC-Charlotte's Michael Anders 6-4 6-4. The junior was unable to recover his broken serve in each of the sets.Crone's doubles partner freshman Zach Hunter" gave Paul a bright spot while teaming with Crone in two doubles victories.His persistent vocal encouragement and inspired net play gives Paul's young squad a positive sign moving forward.""I think we're going to learn something about this team every single day" Paul said.However" I think everybody's going to have to step up. We'll see.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.
(12/01/08 5:00am)
CARY — The North Carolina men's soccer team hadn't scored three goals in more than a month.They hadn't taken more than 13 shots since then either.But with one slight flick of the ball that all changed. With the UNC's third-round NCAA match knotted at two in overtime a header from freshman Sheanon Williams found forward Brian Shriver just outside the box.Immediately upon its arrival Shriver settled and chipped the ball back into the packed box. As it floated over a crowd of players senior Garry Lewis stood on the back post" unmarked. ""I swear it was like in slow motion" I couldn't believe how open I was Lewis said. So I just concentrated really hard and luckily everybody just froze" and it was just a tap in.""Call it what you will" but it gave the Tar Heels three goals for the first time since Oct. 18 as well as their 14th shot of the game.For a team that has struggled offensively recently its past two games have shown otherwise.On Tuesday against Jacksonville UNC took 18 shots. And though it only yielded one goal Shriver and freshman Billy Schuler constantly broke through with chances.At one point late in the game with the Tar Heels ahead a through ball found a streaking Schuler with a one-on-one opportunity against Dolphins' goalkeeper Joey Sanchez. He was unable to convert" but his play showed that the team was still looking to create chances.""We kept pressing away" and we were finally rewarded" coach Elmar Bolowich said.Though these words were spoken Tuesday, their bearing was more apparent against the Flames five days later.One minute into the match, Shriver gathered the ball and half-volleyed a shot right at University of Illinois at Chicago keeper Taylor Kelliher — making his first start for the Flames after the team's starter hurt his shoulder in training.About 15 minutes in, a free kick from Lewis found Williams on the backpost. His header fell just wide.Both were golden chances, yet neither fell.And when captain Michael Callahan missed a wide open shot just minutes into the second half, it seemed none would.We battled through and we got the opportunities and took them" Bolowich said Sunday. That was our call all game long" you need to take the opportunities.""It seemed Callahan and Lewis were listening" and with three minutes left" Callahan struck a rocket to knot the game. ""I think in the tournament what matters really is the team's will to win"" he said. And that's really what came out. We just wouldn't accept losing this game.""Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.