The University of North Carolina field hockey team won its 10th NCAA championship on Sunday, defeating Northwestern in a thrilling shootout after a 1-1 tie in regulation and overtime. The Tar Heels prevailed 3-2 in the shootout, thanks to a goal by sophomore Ryleigh Heck and a save by graduate Maddie Kahn.
UNC Dominates First Half, Northwestern Equalizes in Second
The Tar Heels started the game with high intensity and pressure, earning four penalty corners in the first quarter. They converted one of them in the 17th minute, when Heck flicked the ball over the head of Northwestern goalkeeper Annabel Skubisz. It was Heck’s 12th goal of the season and her second in the NCAA tournament.
UNC continued to control the game in the second quarter, outshooting Northwestern 9-1 and forcing Skubisz to make five saves. However, the Wildcats held on and kept the score at 1-0 going into halftime.
The second half was a different story, as Northwestern came out with more aggression and confidence. The Wildcats leveled the score in the 40th minute, when senior Bente Baekers scored her 29th goal of the season from a penalty corner. Baekers, who leads the nation in goals and points, beat Kahn with a low shot to the left corner.
The game became more balanced and tense, as both teams had chances to take the lead. UNC had two penalty corners in the third quarter, but Skubisz denied both attempts. Northwestern had a penalty corner in the fourth quarter, but Kahn made a diving save to keep the game tied.
Overtime and Shootout Decide the Champion
The game went into overtime, where each team had seven players on the field instead of 11. The Tar Heels had the first opportunity in the 63rd minute, when senior Erin Matson broke free and fired a shot from the top of the circle. Skubisz made a spectacular save with her glove, deflecting the ball over the crossbar.
The Wildcats responded with a counterattack in the 65th minute, when junior Lakin Barry found Baekers in the circle. Baekers unleashed a powerful shot, but Kahn was equal to the task and blocked it with her pads.
The overtime period ended without a winner, and the game went into a shootout, where each team had five attempts to score from the penalty spot. Matson scored the first goal for UNC, while Barry missed the first one for Northwestern. The second round saw both teams miss, as Skubisz saved a shot by senior Cassie Sumfest and Kahn saved a shot by senior Kirsten Mansfield.
The third round was crucial, as Heck scored her second goal of the game for UNC, while senior Maren Seidel scored for Northwestern. The score was 2-1 for the Tar Heels after three rounds.
The fourth round was decisive, as senior Abby Pitcairn missed her shot for UNC, while senior Ana Medina Garcia scored for Northwestern. The score was 2-2 after four rounds, and the shootout went into sudden death.
The fifth round was dramatic, as Matson missed her shot for UNC, hitting the post. However, Kahn came up with a huge save for the Tar Heels, stopping a shot by senior Peyton Halsey. The score remained 2-2 after five rounds, and the shootout went into the sixth round.
The sixth round was the final one, as senior Hannah Griggs scored for UNC, while senior Maddie Zimmer missed for Northwestern. Griggs, who had missed a penalty stroke in the semifinal against Michigan, redeemed herself with a calm finish to the right corner. Zimmer, who had scored the winning goal in the semifinal against Louisville, hit the post with her shot.
The Tar Heels celebrated their 10th NCAA title and their third in a row, while the Wildcats were left heartbroken after their first appearance in the final.
UNC Coach and Players React to the Victory
UNC head coach Karen Shelton, who has led the Tar Heels to all 10 of their NCAA titles, praised her team for their resilience and character.
“I’m so proud of this team,” Shelton said. “They fought hard all season, and they never gave up. They showed a lot of courage and heart today. Northwestern is a great team, and they pushed us to the limit. It was a very close game, and it could have gone either way. I’m just glad we came out on top.”
Heck, who was named the most outstanding player of the tournament, said she was happy to contribute to the team’s success.
“It feels amazing to win the championship,” Heck said. “It was a very tough game, and we had to work hard for every goal. I’m glad I was able to score in the shootout, and I’m grateful to Maddie for making that save. She’s an incredible goalkeeper, and she saved us many times. This is a dream come true for me and my teammates.”
Kahn, who made six saves in the game and three in the shootout, said she was confident in her abilities and her team’s support.
“I was just focused on doing my job,” Kahn said. “I knew I had to make some saves, and I trusted my instincts. I also knew I had the best team in the country behind me, and they gave me a lot of encouragement and energy. It was a team effort, and I’m so proud of everyone.”
Northwestern Coach and Players Reflect on the Loss
Northwestern head coach Tracey Fuchs, who played for UNC and won two NCAA titles as a player, said she was proud of her team for their performance and their season.
“I’m very proud of this team,” Fuchs said. “They played with a lot of heart and passion, and they gave everything they had. They made history for Northwestern, and they have nothing to be ashamed of. UNC is a great team, and they deserve a lot of credit. It was a very close game, and it came down to the wire. Unfortunately, we came up short, but I’m very proud of how we competed.”
Baekers, who scored the only goal for Northwestern in the game and had a stellar season, said she was disappointed with the result but grateful for the experience.
“It’s very disappointing to lose in the shootout,” Baekers said. “We worked so hard to get here, and we wanted to win the title. We played a great game, and we matched UNC in every aspect. It was a very tight game, and it could have gone either way. I’m very proud of my team, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to play in the final. It was an amazing experience, and I’ll never forget it.”
Skubisz, who made 10 saves in the game and four in the shootout, said she was proud of her performance and her team’s effort.
“I’m proud of how I played today,” Skubisz said. “I tried to do my best, and I made some good saves. I also had a lot of help from my defense, and they did a great job. We played as a team, and we fought until the end. We came very close to winning the title, and we gave UNC a tough challenge. It’s a shame we didn’t win, but I’m proud of how we played.”
