Field Hockey NCAA ACCtion: Friday, November 16
North Carolina reaches title game of NCAA Tournament with 4-2 win over Connecticut; Wake Forest falls 2-0 to Penn State.
North Carolina's Danielle Forword scored two of the Tar Heels' four goals in a semifinal win over Connecticut.

North Carolina's Danielle Forword scored two of the Tar Heels' four goals in a semifinal win over Connecticut.

Nov. 16, 2007

Tar Heels Reach NCAA Title Game

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The North Carolina field hockey team will play Sunday for the program's fifth national championship following a 4-2 win over No. 4 Connecticut Friday in the NCAA semifinals at the University of Maryland's Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. Sophomore Danielle Forword scored twice for the top-ranked Tar Heels, who improved to 23-0 on the season.

UNC led 3-0, but the Huskies came up with a goal shortly before halftime and just after the break to draw within two before another Tar Heel score. "I thought it was a real tough battle with UConn," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "I felt good about the first half, the way our team competed and what were able to exploit, but they got a goal in the last minute that kind of changed the complexion of the game, coupled with goal they got early in the second half. That put a lot of pressure on us and it woke them up. They played hard and tough and made us earn everything we got."

Sophomore Illse Davids put UNC ahead for good less than six minutes into the game with a hard shot from the top of the circle on a pass from senior Jesse Gey. Ten minutes later, Forword put Carolina up 2-0 with her first goal of the game, batting in a shot by senior Laree Beans. In the 27th minute of play, UNC pushed the lead to 3-0 with a goal by Britt van Beek. The junior forward's first shot was saved by UConn goalkeeper Andrea Mainiero, but she gathered the rebound and shot again for her ninth goal of the season.


Penn State Upsets Wake Forest 2-0 in NCAA Semifinals

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The ninth-ranked Penn State field hockey team will advance to the NCAA championship game after defeating No. 3 Wake Forest, 2-0, at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex Friday evening.

The Nittany Lions improved to 16-7 on the season, while Wake Forest's record fell to 16-6. Penn State will take on top-ranked North Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 18, at noon for the national title.

Penn State got on the board early, with a penalty corner conversion in the 14th minute by Mallory Weisen. Jen Long and Allison Scola were credited with the assists.