CHESTER, PA. 5/29/2016 – The third time is the charm for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. Meeting the Maryland Terrapins for the third consecutive season in the championship game, this one went UNC’s way, and they claim the title by virtue of a 13 – 7 victory in front of 7,129 at Talen Energy Stadium. North Carolina won the second crown in program history, the last coming in 2013 against Maryland. They did it with a complete game effort on both sides of the field, and it started with the defense.
This was the lowest goal output for the Terps this season. Senior goal keeper Megan Ward came up big when Maryland penetrated. She had a career-high 14 saves on 28 shots, turning away many from close. Ward credited the defense for her performance.
In getting the win UNC was able to get the ball and stay patient on offense to get quality shots. UNC had a 13 – 9 advantage in draw controls, 8 – 3 in the first half. Of the 24 Tar Heel shots, 19 were on goal.
North Carolina got out to a 6 – 1 lead. Messinger, who was named the tournament Most Outstanding Player, contributed all four of her assists in that run. Maryland closed the gap to 7 – 6 early in the second half when Taylor Cummings scored at the 23:24 mark. UNC put the game away by scoring the next five goals, the first two in fifteen seconds, by five different players getting the goals.
Molly Hendrick of North Carolina scored three goals and Megan Whittle of Maryland also netted three.
The Terrapins came into the game undefeated. This was only the fourth loss the senior class has suffered. The team and the class has accomplished much, and will not let sixty minutes define them.
Carolina ends the season with a school-record 20 wins and a 17-game win streak. And a title they wanted; National Champions.
