Wake Forest University
(4-8, 1-0ACC)
North Carolina
(11-1, 1-0ACC)
Wake Forest Put in Strong Defensive Effort Against Tar Heels
3/13/2021 2:16:00 PM | Field Hockey
Tori Glaister continued to shine in net for the Demon Deacons, recording three saves in the 2-0 loss to the two-time defending National Champions.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest field hockey team fought hard on the defensive end, before ultimately falling to North Carolina, 2-0, on Saturday at Kentner Stadium
The Demon Deacons (4-9, 1-1 ACC) held the Tar Heels to just five shots on goal, strifling several offensive chances in a scoreless second half.
Tori Glaister and the Demon Deacon defense forced seven of North Carolina's 12 shots wide. Glaister would add three saves to the defensive effort, all in the second half.
North Carolina (12-1, 2-0 ACC) struck early with a goal by Erin Matson in the eighth minute. The junior would go on to add her 17th goal of the season on the fast break in the 11th minute to cement the final margin of victory for the Tar Heels.
Wake Forest had a pair of shots in the contest, with Abby Carpenter's first quarter strike into the pads of Amanda Hendry as the Deacs' only shot on goal.
How It Happened
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The Demon Deacons applied early pressure on North Carolina, maintaining possession for much of the first quarter. 7:07 into the match, the Tar Heels had their first extended possession in the Wake Forest zone. The Heels capitalized as Matson netting the first goal of the game on a assist from Thomassey
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After Wake Forest earned a penalty corner with under five minutes to play, the Deacs had a shot on goal, nearly knotting up the match at 1-1. After the save, it led to a fast break for the Tar Heels. Matson netted her second goal of the game 10:37 minutes into the first quarter, making it 2-0 in favor of North Carolina.
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With the help of consistent offensive pressure from the Demon Deacons, Wake Forest was able to limit the offensive attack of North Carolina in the first half. At the midway point the score remained 2-0 Tar Heels.
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Freshman goalie Tori Glaister continued her strong start to the spring season in between the pipes, coming up with multiple saves to keep it as a two-goal match.
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The Tar Heels had a breakaway opportunity at the start of the fourth quarter and Glaister made a sprawling save, diving in front to erase the North Carolina opportunity.
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In The Spotlight
Laia Vancells helped the Deacs maintain control of the midfield for huge chunks of the game. The junior's adept dribbling and quick instincts on the left wing helped put a lot of pressure on the Tar Heel defense, and helped Wake Forest retain possession of the ball.
Quotable - Head Coach Jennifer Averill
"Really disappointed as I thought we applied some great tactics in the first half. I was really proud of our possession. This spring with our low numbers, we have to capitalize on our opportunities we created for ourselves in the first half. The first quarter was brilliant. I could not ask for more out of our press. Our clinical application out of our attacking third was a stumbling block for us. The film will give us great concepts for us to work on and pull from, and we will go from there. Give credit to North Carolina. They are very clinical, and their two fastbreak goals were spot on. Once we get more movement and get our eyes up, hopefully we can create the same sort of threat."
Up Next
The Deacs will be back in action next Friday, March 19 in against Duke in Durham for their first of three road games this spring.
Wake Forest returns to Kentner Stadium the following week for their final home game of the spring slate as the Deacs host Virginia at 12:00 p.m.
Team Stats
Erin Matson (16)
Assisted By: Kiersten Thomassey
GOAL by NC Erin Matson (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Kiersten Thomassey, goal number 16 for season.
7:07
Erin Matson (17)
GOAL by NC Erin Matson, goal number 17 for season.
10:37
