The NCAA field-hockey championship on Sunday at Kentner Stadium will have plenty of ACC flavor, as No. 1 Maryland and No. 3 North Carolina won their semifinals games yesterday.
Maryland defeated No. 4 Princeton 7-5 in the first game and North Carolina edged No. 2 Virginia 3-2 in the nightcap.
North Carolina took a 1-0 lead at halftime when Danielle Forword scored on a penalty corner from Katelyn Falgowski at 22:59. Virginia tied the game at 47:03 when Traci Ragukas slid a shot past goalkeeper Jackie Kintzer.
North Carolina took a 2-1 lead when Taryn Gjurich scored her first goal of the year, on an assist from Falgowski. North Carolina pushed the lead to 3-1 at 53:24 when Elizabeth Drazdowski scored after taking a pass from Kelsey Kolojejchick at the top of the circle.
Virginia came right back when Paige Selenski scored her 27th goal off an assist from Inga Stockel at 59:23 on a penalty corner.
The Cavaliers had four penalty corners from the eight-minute mark until the three-minute mark.
"I think it was a tale of two halves," said Coach Karen Shelton of North Carolina. "I think we dominated the first half, but I think they certainly put a lot of pressure on us in the second half."
The Cavaliers had eight penalty corners, and the Tar Heels seven.
"We had corners. We were able to put one in," Madison said. "We ran the option on another one to Paige (Selenski), but the goalkeeper played well and you just have to put it in when you get the chance."
The Tar Heels held an 8-3 shot advantage in the first half, and 12-11 for the game.
In the first game, it was all Katie O'Donnell for Maryland. O'Donnell, a junior and the ACC Offensive Player of Year, added to her accolades. O'Donnell finished with three goals and three assists for nine points.
The title on Sunday will be a battle of the past two national champions, with Maryland winning last year and North Carolina winning in 2007.
The Terrapins (23-0) led 4-1, but the Tigers (16-3) tied it with 18 minutes remaining on a goal by Katie Reinprecht. Then the Terrapins took control on goals by Megan Frazer, Ameliet Rischen and O'Donnell.
"It's not about me. It's not about my points," O'Donnell said. "I can only do what I can do. I can put the ball in the net as much as I like to."
Maryland outshot Princeton 19-16.
"I think we just kinda ran out of gas there toward the end," Coach Kristen Holmes-Winn of Princeton said.
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