Field Hockey: No. 7 Cavaliers rally to knock off No. 2 Tar Heels, 3-2, on Senior Day

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

The No. 7 Virginia field hockey team came back from a 2-0 halftime deficit to top No. 2 North Carolina by a 3-2 score on Friday at Turf Field.

The Cavaliers (10-5, 3-3 ACC) scored three times in the first eight minutes of the second half. Junior striker Taryn Tkachuk scored what would be the game-winner at the 7:50 mark of the third quarter.

This was the Cavaliers’ first victory against the Tar Heels since the title game of the 2016 ACC Championship, snapping a streak of 13 straight losses against UNC.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Ryleigh Heck gave North Carolina (12-3, 5-1) its 2-0 lead, scoring her first goal 2:33 into the second quarter, adding a second with 1:20 remaining in the period.

Virginia came out strong. Noa Boterman knocked in a centering pass from Tkachuk 2:33 into the third period. Emily Field scored 2:39 later, knocking in a shot off a penalty corner. The Cavaliers earned their second penalty corner of the period. After a foul by UNC garnered UVA its third corner, Lauren Kenah dribbled to the far side of the top of the circle, firing off a shot toward the net that was redirected in by Tkachuk’s stick. It was the Cavaliers’ third goal in a span of 5:17.

With 6:20 remaining in the game, North Carolina pulled the goalkeeper to add an extra attacker, managing only one shot with the bonus offense. With 2.6 seconds left on the clock, UNC had the ball and called for a review on a turnover to see if it should actually have been a penalty corner. The call stood and no corner was awarded. Virginia cleared the ball to run out the clock and hold on for the victory.

NOTES

• North Carolina had an 11-4 edge in shots
• UVA took all four of its shots in the third quarter, scoring three goals on those four shots
• Tkachuk’s goal was her team-leading seventh of the year
• Field’s goal was the first of her career
• Boterman’s goal was her sixth of the season
• Tyler Kennedy had three saves; UNC’s Maddie Kahn did not save a shot
• Before the game, seven of the program’s eight head coaches were recognized as part of the program’s 50th Anniversary celebration
• Fourth years Lilly Hengerer, Meghen Hengerer, Anneloes Knol and Esha Shah were honored after the game for Senior Day

FROM HEAD COACH MICHELE MADISON

“I don’t need to say much because this game speaks for itself, but that’s one heck of a way to kick off a celebration weekend. I’m glad we had a display of nice hockey for the fans and for the alums that came back. I look forward to celebrating the rest of the weekend with them.”

What a moment! 7 of the 8 coaches in our program’s history were in person to be honored today! #GoHoos pic.twitter.com/pZUVj8E8VU

— Virginia Field Hockey (@UVAFieldHockey) October 20, 2023

UP NEXT

The Cavaliers close out the regular season on Tuesday with a 5 p.m. game against James Madison in Harrisonburg. The game will stream on ESPN+. Virginia will serve as the host site for the 2023 ACC Field Hockey Championship Oct. 31- Nov. 3 at Turf Field. Admission and parking for the ACC Championship are free.