Field Hockey Edged in ACC Semifinals

Wednesday, November 2

Durham, NC

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

(15-5, 3-3)

North Carolina

(16-0, 6-0)

Syracuse

North Carolina

Photo by: Todd Michalek

11/2/2022 3:27:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – A valiant push late after a defensive battle came up short for the No. 10 Syracuse field hockey team, which dropped a 2-1 decision in the ACC Tournament Semifinals to No. 1 North Carolina on Tuesday.

Down 2-0, Syracuse (15-5) cut the lead to one thanks to a back-door high tip from Joy Haarman on a perfect cross to the back post from Charlotte de Vries. Brooke Borzymowski made five saves in 58 minutes of work.

UNC (15-0) scored twice in the second half, once on a penalty stroke from Erin Matson and once on a tipped penalty corner by Ryleigh Heck. UNC split time in goal between Kyle Walbert and Abigail Taylor. Each made one save and there was a defensive save early in the first quarter.

How it Happened

It was a 0-0 battle in the opening quarter as the Orange earned one corner and the Tar Heels picked up two. Haarman had a chance at the cage but was stopped by a defensive save. On Carolina's chances, Borzymowski made a kick save on the first before the second effort was cleared out.
It was another scoreless quarter as neither side could find the cage in the second. UNC had the bulk of possession with four shots while the Orange did not get a chance at the goal. The Orange staved off two Carolina corners for a 0-0 halftime.
UNC took a 1-0 lead early in the third quarter on a penalty stroke scored by Matson. Borzymowski had a beat on the shot but the ball snuck under her out-stretched arm.
It was another quick goal in the fourth as the Tar Heels scored on a penalty corner on a front side tip by Heck.
Syracuse got one back in the 52nd minute after continued pressure against the Carolina backline. De Vries sailed in a perfect cross to the back post, setting up Haarman's high knock down goal. After a referral, the goal was upheld and the Orange cut the deficit back to one.
The Orange continued to mount the pressure, pulling Borzymowski for the extra attacker, leading to several chances late, including a shot from Quirine Comans that ran just left of the goal.

Behind the Numbers

The Orange backline held firm against the top offensive unit in the country, holding the Tar Heels to just two goals, one of which was a penalty stroke. Syracuse's defense weathered 13 total shots including nine in the second and third quarters combined. The Orange defended against six Carolina corners.
Syracuse's offense produced six shots, putting up four shots in the fourth quarter. Comans, de Vries, and Haarman all took two shots. Both Haarman attempts were on goal, one stopped by a miraculous defensive save and the second was the Orange goal.
Borzymowski turned aside five UNC attempts, three of which came against Matson.

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