It took two overtime periods to determine a winner in an in-state field hockey classic between Wake Forest and North Carolina on Friday night.
North Carolina has been, without a doubt, the most dominant team in the NCAA over the past five years, making this win monumental for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Additionally, this marks Wake Forest’s best start in conference play since 2015, when they also started 3-0.
Wake Forest rallied from a goal down before knocking off North Carolina 2-1 to remain unbeaten in both the ACC and at home.
The first half was a back-and-forth defensive battle, with both teams firing multiple shots on goal that failed to break through. Wake Forest’s Ellie Todd had one of her best games yet this season, making 11 total saves on the day and stifling the relentless Tar Heels’ attack.
“I thought Ellie Todd was sensational. I thought our defensive penalty corner was sensational,” said Head Coach Jen Averill.
Despite close efforts from both sides, including a pair of corner opportunities from Mia Montag and Mia Schoenbeck, which created dangerous chances for the Demon Deacons, neither team could find the back of the cage.
The Tar Heels broke the stalemate on a penalty corner with 5:35 remaining in the fourth, after three straight quarters of strong defense from both teams.
The Demon Deacons rallied back almost immediately. With 1:55 left, Wake Forest pulled Ellie Todd for an extra attacker and 30 seconds later, Lauren Storey buried a shot off a penalty corner from the top of the circle—her 10th of the season—off an assist from Montag to tie it.
With roaring support from the packed crowd, the game entered overtime tied at 1-1.
The Demon Deacons dominated play in the first overtime period, generating four shots and two penalty corners. Storey had two shots on goal that nearly ended the game, but the Tar Heels came up with key stops. North Carolina’s Charly Bruder had a dangerous breakaway that ended up going wide, sending the match to a second overtime period.
Early in the second overtime, North Carolina went down a player after a yellow card was assessed to midfielder Dani Mendez, her second of the game. It ended up being exactly what the Deacs needed to capitalize and close it out.
After one blocked attempt, Schoenbeck finally found the back board on her signature drag-flick, with Montag and Storey getting credit for the assists.
The ecstatic faces and celebrations of both coaches and players following the game-winner said it all.
“I loved the resilience from our squad. I loved the back and forth,” Averill said postgame. “The fight to come back just shows a lot of the grit that our squad has. I’m super proud of every player.”
Wake Forest heads to Louisville next Friday to continue conference play. The game is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. Eastern on the ACC Network.
