Sept. 2, 2007

Final Stats

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - With second-half goals from Elizabeth Drazdowski and Rachel Dawson, the North Carolina field hockey team beat visiting James Madison 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Francis E. Henry Stadium. The No. 3 Tar Heels (4-0) took 25 shots in the game, but were able to convert just twice in handing the Dukes (2-1) their first loss of the season. UNC drew 21 penalty corners, four more than in its three previous games combined.

"We're pleased that we drew 21 penalty corners and we shot the ball 25 times - those are good things," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "We're just disappointed that wasn't reflected on the scoreboard, that we didn't can our chances. That's the name of the game in our sport, getting it past the keeper, and we didn't do that as well today. But I think we made progress overall as a team. Our goal is to win and we came away with a win."

After a scoreless first half, UNC needed 12 more minutes to come up with its first goal. With 22:33 remaining in the game, the Tar Heels finally got on the board when Drazdowski, a redshirt freshman from Mountain Top, Pa., tipped in a pass from junior Britt van Beek at the left side of the goal. The goal was her second of the weekend, following one Friday against Wake Forest.

Carolina added another goal in the final minute of play when senior Rachel Dawson blasted a shot on UNC's 21st penalty corner of the game. Jesse Gey and Katelyn Falgowski assisted on the play.

With Carolina six seconds away from its first shutout of the season, JMU's Randi Segear grabbed a ball that UNC goalkeeper Brianna O'Donnell had directed away from the goal and put it in the goal to make the final score 2-1.

James Madison goalkeeper Kelsey Cutchins had 10 saves, including one on a UNC penalty stroke by Dawson five minutes before halftime.

UNC is back in action next weekend, traveling to West Chester, Pa., for the Vonnie Gros Classic. The Tar Heels play Villanova on Saturday and West Chester on Sunday. Their next home game is Sept. 14 against Old Dominion.

No. 3 North Carolina 2, No. 11 James Madison 1
Scoring: UNC - Elizabeth Drazdowski (Britt van Beek), 47:27; UNC - Rachel Dawson (Jesse Gey, Katelyn Falgowski), 69:12; JMU - Randi Segear, 69:54
Shots on goal: UNC 25, JMU 3
Penalty corners: UNC 21, JMU 2
Goalkeeper saves: UNC 1 (Brianna O'Donnell), JMU 10 (Kelsey Cutchins)
Records: UNC 4-0, JMU 2-1

UNC starters: Brianna O'Donnell, Riley Foster, Alli Tanner, Heather Kendell, Rachel Dawson, Melanie Brill, Jesse Gey, Laree Beans, Elizabeth Drazdowski, Katelyn Falgowski, Xan Funk
UNC substitutes: Illse Davids, Kiki Norbruis, Kate Scholl, Britt van Beek, Hilary Hartman, Danielle Forword, Liz Morris