Boston College topped North Carolina for the first time since the 2008 season.
NEWTON, Mass. – No. 18 Boston College scored two unanswered goals – including the second-half game-winner – as the Eagles upset No. 3 North Carolina on Friday afternoon at the Newton Field Hockey Complex. Freshman Brigid Wood scored her first career goal to level the score in the first half, before junior Chelcie Mendonca tallied the game-winner in the second half to cap Eagles' the victory.
Friday's win was Boston College's first over the Tar Heels since 2008, snapping a string of eight straight UNC wins. The defending ACC champions – and national runners-up – went ahead 18 minutes into the game, but Wood answered at 26:26 and Mendonca put the Eagles head for good at 54:44. The Eagles now stand at 2-14 all-time against the Tar Heels.
GOAL! Mendonca grabs the loose ball after a penaty corner to put the #BCEagles up 2-1 with 15:00 left
— BCFH (@BCFieldHockey) September 16, 2016
Boston College withstood heavy UNC pressure as the second half wore on, with Carolina out-shooting the Eagles 12-4 in the frame. The Tar Heels had a pair of chances to score the equalizer with under two minutes to play, gaining a pair of penalty corners – including one with time expired – but the Eagles' defense stood tall. All of BC goalkeeper Audra Hampsch's four saves came in the second half.
"(Possession) was critical. A turnover can lead to a goal pretty quickly in this sport, especially to a team like Carolina," Eagles coach Kelly Doton said. "We had to possess the ball, specifically in the defensive zone. They have a lot of great goal scorers and create a lot of goal-scoring opportunities. One mental mistake on defense could've led to a goal. The shot selection by them – they had some opportunities in there. Our defense held and Audra did a great job in goal … Our defensive penalty corner unit came through huge. And again, the type of corners we saw on film that Carolina can execute – it was a big opportunity for them. Luckily these guys stepped up to the plate."
BC (3-3, 1-1 ACC) returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 18 when the Eagles travel to play Northeastern at 2 p.m. at the Huskies' Dedham Field in Dedham, Mass.
