Soccer Falls to No. 5 Carolina In Road Finale
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Miami Hurricanes fell to No. 5 North Carolina at Fetzer Field Sunday afternoon, dropping its ACC road finale by the final score of 3-0.
Coming off a 3-1 win over NC State last time out thanks to the first career hat trick from junior Natalie Moik, Miami entered the match with confidence. Despite a valiant effort from the Hurricanes, a talented Tar Heels side was able to extend its unbeaten streak to 11 straight games.
“I thought our team played well today,” head coach Mary-Frances Monroe said. “We had several chances that were dangerous on frame and were unlucky not to score.”
The visitors found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime thanks to a penalty kick from Paige Nielsen. A strike from Emily Bruder less than 10 minutes into the second half doubled Carolina’s advantage.
The Hurricanes nearly halved the deficit on a brilliant sequence from senior defender Maddie Simms to junior forward Amy Schmidt in the 76th minute, but Tar Heels keeper Bryane Heaberlin was up to the challenge.
Simms delivered a gorgeous pass to Schmidt, who nearly beat Heaberlin with her one-timed shot.
“It was a great long ball from Maddie,” Monroe said of the effort. “Amy had an amazing first touch and shot it first time. The goalkeeper came up with a big save.”
A goal from Megan Buckingham a minute later made it 3-0 in favor of North Carolina.
Shots on back-to-back sequences from senior Erin McGovern gave Miami its best early chances in the middle stages of the first half.
After a strong save by senior goalkeeper Emily Lillard earlier in the match preserved a 0-0 scoreline, Nielsen was taken down in the box and successfully converted her penalty effort to give North Carolina a 1-0 advantage.
“It’s tough going down 1-0 on a penalty kick playing a team like Carolina,” Monroe said. “We knew we would have to continue to play and create chances. I am proud of the team.”
Lillard finished the afternoon with four saves against the Tar Heels attack.
Despite Bruder’s tally in the opening minutes of the second half, the Hurricanes never lost focus.
“Overall we did some good things, and there are things we need to continue to improve on as we move forward,” Monroe said.
Miami will play its regular season finale on Sunday, Nov. 2 against Wake Forest at Cobb Stadium. The Hurricanes will recognize four players on Senior Day: Ashley Flinn, Emily Lillard, Erin McGovern and Maddie Simms.
Kickoff against the Demon Deacons is set for 1 p.m., and admission to the match is free.
