Wolverines Drop Season-Opening Nailbiter to No. 2 UNC

Saturday, August 29

Ann Arbor, Mich.

2:00 PM

Michigan

(0-1)

North Carolina

(1-0)

North Carolina

Michigan

Leah Cardarelli

Wolverines Drop Season-Opening Nailbiter to No. 2 UNC

8/29/2015 12:00:00 AM | Field Hockey

Box Score PDF Boxscore Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» After a scoreless first half, UNC broke open the game with two early penalty-corner goals in the second.
» Leah Cardarelli scored her first collegiate goal to pull U-M within one at the 54:20 mark.
» Although UNC held a 14-7 advantage in total shots, shots on goal were a narrower, 10-6. Sam Swenson earned eight saves in the Wolverine cage.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Phyllis Ocker Field)
Score: #2 North Carolina 2, #14 Michigan 1
Records: U-M (0-1), UNC (1-0)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Aug. 30 -- vs. Wake Forest - ACC/Big Ten Challenge (Phyllis Ocker Field), 2 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 14-ranked University of Michigan field hockey team pulled within one goal late but could not complete the comeback against No. 2 North Carolina, falling 2-1 in its season-opening contest at the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Saturday afternoon (Aug. 29) at Phyllis Ocker Field.

"They're a good team, and I thought we played them toe to toe," said head coach Marcia Pankratz. "We're a good team too. They were just a little bit better than us today. It's a process. We're starting the season in a strong position -- stronger than last year -- so we're definitely pleased with that."

After a scoreless first half, the Tar Heels jumped out to a two-goal advantage early in the second, before freshman forward Leah Cardarelli tipped in her first collegiate goal on a penalty corner at the 54:20 mark to narrow the gap. Senior back Lauren Thomas earned the assist on the direct shot, directing a sweeping shot to the left post, where Cardarelli redirected into the nearside corner.

Tweet of the Game

GOAL MICHIGAN! Cardarelli tips in corner shot from Thomas on left post. 1st career goal! UNC still up, 2-1. 15:00 left. #GoBlue

-- Michigan FieldHockey (@umichfldhockey) August 29, 2015

The Wolverines continued to pressure late in the second half and were not without opportunities to score late. U-M drew two penalty corners in the final six minutes of the game but could not convert and, with sophomore goalkeeper Sam Swenson pulled, could not capitalize on an extra attacker in the final two minutes.

North Carolina took advantage of its penalty corner opportunities to net both goals. Malin Evert broke open the scoreless contest with a tip goal at the 39:55 mark, and Casey DiNardo padded the lead 10 minutes later, at 50:00, on a high rebound shot after Swenson stopped a hard direct blast.

UNC outshot the Wolverines, 14-7 -- although shots on goals were a narrower 10-6 -- and outcornered them, 6-5. Swenson was solid in the Michigan cage with eight saves, while the Tar Heels' Shannon Johnson earned five stops.

Michigan will return to action tomorrow (Sunday, Aug. 30), taking on No. 11 Wake Forest at 2 p.m. on the second and final day of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge at Ocker Field. UNC will face Iowa, which defeated Wake Forest in today's first contest, at 11:30 a.m. Admission is free.

Postgame Notes

• Michigan fell to 19-23-1 in all-time season openers and 3-20 in the all-time series against North Carolina. U-M has kicked off the season against North Carolina in 13 of the last 14 seasons.

• Three Wolverine freshmen made their collegiate debuts: Maggie Bettez, Leah Cardarelli and Lydia Sydnor.

• Senior back Lauren Thomas earned her ninth career assist on Cardarelli's second-half goal.

Postgame Quotes

Head Coach Marcia Pankratz
On U-M's defensive effort ... "It was strong for the most part. We have some younger players back there that we're trying to get organized. I thought we adjusted pretty well after the initial start. I feel pretty good about it."

On Leah Cardarelli's first collegiate goal ... "She is a great goal scorer. We knew she had those capabilities and skills. I was glad to see her put it in when she had the opportunity."

Graduate Student Mackenzie Ellis
On the game ... "It's a mixed feeling. You never want to lose, and we had opportunities to beat a great team. That's disappointing. But we're pleased with how we played. It was a great game. We'll learn from this and take it into tomorrow."