CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Second-ranked North Carolina conceded three second half goals and opened Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play with a 3-2 loss to No. 7 Virginia at Dorrance Field on Saturday.
The Cavaliers (8-0-1, 1-0 ACC) scored three goals in a span of 18 minutes to become just the second team to overcome a two-goal deficit and defeat the Tar Heels (7-2-0, 0-1 ACC). Texas A&M overcame to 3-1 deficit to win 4-3 in overtime in 2011.
“We were casual in possession, they stripped us, they counter attacked very well and they finished wonderfully,” UNC head coach Anson Dorrance said. “In the second half they were all over us, they kept possession well, which I certainly respect them for. They are a good team. They have a lot of veterans in a lot of positions, and they made it hard for us.”
“It’s tough to come back from a 2-0 deficit and Virginia did; and they earned it. I give them absolute full credit.”
Emily Murphy and Ally Sentnor scored first half goals as the Tar Heels built a 2-0 lead, before Virginia tied the game on goals Rebecca Jarrett and Alex Spaanstra, the won the match with Lisa Godfrey’s goal in the 72nd minute.
Virginia had posted seven consecutive shutouts entering the game and had surrendered just one goal the entire year.
The Tar Heels held Virginia without a shot in the first half and outshot the Cavaliers overall, 13-6.
All three of the Cavaliers second half shots found the back of the net, while UNC’s two shots on goal were saved by Cayla White.
“Even in the second half when they were playing very well against us, we created some incredible chances,” Dorrance said. “Probably better chances than they created, but they finished, and we didn’t.
“We did some good things, and they know we’ve got some things to work on, and that’s not a bad position to be in. There were some things we really liked. We created enough opportunities to win the game, but you can’t give up three goals and cruise to any sort of easy victory.”
This was the first time in 49 meetings that Carolina conceded more than two goals to the Cavaliers and first time that UNC yielded three goals in a half or surrendered three goals in match at Fetzer/Dorrance Field since hosting Boston College in 2010.
The Tar Heels return to action Thursday, Sept. 22, on the road against Syracuse. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start and will be streamed on the ACC Network.
The Cavaliers (8-0-1, 1-0 ACC) scored three goals in a span of 18 minutes to become just the second team to overcome a two-goal deficit and defeat the Tar Heels (7-2-0, 0-1 ACC). Texas A&M overcame to 3-1 deficit to win 4-3 in overtime in 2011.
“We were casual in possession, they stripped us, they counter attacked very well and they finished wonderfully,” UNC head coach Anson Dorrance said. “In the second half they were all over us, they kept possession well, which I certainly respect them for. They are a good team. They have a lot of veterans in a lot of positions, and they made it hard for us.”
“It’s tough to come back from a 2-0 deficit and Virginia did; and they earned it. I give them absolute full credit.”
Emily Murphy and Ally Sentnor scored first half goals as the Tar Heels built a 2-0 lead, before Virginia tied the game on goals Rebecca Jarrett and Alex Spaanstra, the won the match with Lisa Godfrey’s goal in the 72nd minute.
Virginia had posted seven consecutive shutouts entering the game and had surrendered just one goal the entire year.
The Tar Heels held Virginia without a shot in the first half and outshot the Cavaliers overall, 13-6.
All three of the Cavaliers second half shots found the back of the net, while UNC’s two shots on goal were saved by Cayla White.
“Even in the second half when they were playing very well against us, we created some incredible chances,” Dorrance said. “Probably better chances than they created, but they finished, and we didn’t.
“We did some good things, and they know we’ve got some things to work on, and that’s not a bad position to be in. There were some things we really liked. We created enough opportunities to win the game, but you can’t give up three goals and cruise to any sort of easy victory.”
This was the first time in 49 meetings that Carolina conceded more than two goals to the Cavaliers and first time that UNC yielded three goals in a half or surrendered three goals in match at Fetzer/Dorrance Field since hosting Boston College in 2010.
The Tar Heels return to action Thursday, Sept. 22, on the road against Syracuse. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start and will be streamed on the ACC Network.
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