Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
North Carolina
Hoosiers Stun UNC, 3-2, to Advance in NCAA Tournament
11/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey
Nov. 12, 2005
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Under beautiful skies at Wake Forest's Kentner Stadium, the No. 9 ranked Indiana field hockey team opened NCAA Tournament play for the first time in program history against the No. 5 ranked University of North Carolina on Saturday. Led by junior Lydia Schrott's second-career hat trick performance, first team All-Big Ten goalkeeper Haley Exner's 13 saves and an unbeatable IU defense, the Hoosiers advanced to the second round in their first tournament appearance.
Defense characterized the first seven minutes as neither team was able get into the circle. Once the Tar Heels found their way in, their efforts were quickly stopped when junior Morgan Miller cleared the ball, giving Indiana possession. 12 minutes into the game, IU drew close to the goal as Schrott drove deep into the right side of the circle, but sophomore Frederique Meeuwsen's shot was deflected returning the possession to North Carolina.
With 20 minutes on the clock, the Tar Heels drew the corner, but the stingy IU defense blocked Heather Kendell's powerful shot before it reached Exner. Good defensive positioning prevented the next Tar Heel shot from hitting the net as well.
Midway through the first period, Meeuwsen got inside the circle to draw Indiana's first penalty corner. Miller took the initial shot that was saved by the UNC goalkeeper, but Schrott was in position on the left side of the cage to tap the ball in for the early lead and her 15th goal of the season.
The following Tar Heel possession Exner made one of the most impressive saves of her career, as she leapt to the right to save the high UNC shot. Despite giving up two corners, the Hoosiers regained possession for the next three and a half minutes.
Nearing the end the first half, North Carolina drew a pair of corners, but both shots were cleanly saved by Exner. With time ticking away in the first period, the Hoosiers fought for possession in Tar Heel territory and were able to maintain their 1-0 advantage at the half.
The second period opened in a shootout. One minute into the second period, Schrott struck again to increase the Hoosiers lead to two. Schrott, who commanded her way into the circle, scored her 16th goal of the season from the far left side of the cage.
Less than a minute later, North Carolina answered as their third shot off the penalty corner finally hit the back of the goal to put the Heels on the scoreboard. With 23 minutes on the clock, North Carolina drew a corner which set up their second score.
Senior Big Ten Player of the Year, Kayla Bashore drew the corner with 19 minutes remaining in regulation. Miller took the first shot off the corner, which was lifted high and tapped over the top of Tran by Schrott. Schrott's 17th goal of the season marked her second career hat trick, second of the season and fourth in Hoosier annals.
On UNC's next possession, the Tar Heels were able to draw back-to-back corners, but Exner made both saves impressively before senior back Morgan Albini cleared the ball.
With seven minutes remaining, UNC's Laree Beans had the open look, but Exner came up with the big save once again.
With 4:30 remaining in the game, the Tar Heels drew two more corners, but a bobble on the second attempt, returned possession to IU.
One minute away from advancing, the Tar Heels were able to draw two more penalty corners, but it was the Hoosiers' day, and Indiana walked away with their first NCAA Tournament win in program history. IU will square off against No. 2 Wake Forest on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Kentner Stadium.
