DURHAM, N.C.. - In the second semifinal of the 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference Field Hockey Championship at Jack Katz Stadium in Durham, N.C., No. 3 seed Wake Forest defeated No. 2 seed North Carolina, 2-1, to advance to Sunday's ACC Championship Game. The Deacons will face top seeded and No. 1 ranked Maryland in the Championship final.

"I wanted to get an early start on them (UNC), but they really controlled the momentum early," said Wake Forest head coach and ACC Coach of the Year Jennifer Averill. "We were playing a little too much of a reactionary game and a little too loose in the first half. In the second half we were able to tighten things up and get the win. We gave up too many chances to Carolina inside the circle, but I'm proud of the way our girls held on."

With four minutes gone off the clock, Wake Forest jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Junior All-ACC selection Aileen Davis scored her 11th goal of the season and first of the ACC Championship off a penalty corner assist from junior Melissa Martin.

North Carolina scored the equalizer with only 48 seconds remaining in the first period. Sophomore Kiki Norbruis finished off her fifth goal of the season to bring the teams to level terms off a penalty corner. Assists on the play came from seniors Kate Scholl and Britt van Beek.

Coming out of the halftime break, the teams remained level until the 45th minute when Wake Forest's stalwart All-ACC selection Michelle Kasold scored her second goal of the ACC Tournament and 10th of the season. She was assisted by senior All-ACC honoree Minou Gimbrere.

North Carolina pulled its goalkeeper with 6:28 remaining in the match in favor of an extra attacker. Unfortunately, the extra player wasn't enough for the Tar Heels as the Deacons withstood the furious attack in the remaining minutes.

North Carolina led 13-10 in the shots department and 6-5 in penalty corners. Wake Forest's goalkeeper, Crystal Duffield, stopped five shots while North Carolina's Jackie Kintzer was tested only once.

Wake Forest will now advance to the ACC Championship game to face top seeded, No. 1 ranked Maryland. The contest will start on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m.