Plumb's Overtime Goal Lifts No. 4 Louisville to 3-2 Win Over No. 10 North Carolina

Friday, October 22

Chapel Hill, NC

4:00 PM

University of Louisville

(14-2, 5-0ACC)

North Carolina

(9-6, 3-2ACC)

Louisville

North Carolina

Photo by: JEFFREY A. CAMARATI

Plumb's Overtime Goal Lifts No. 4 Louisville to 3-2 Win Over No. 10 North Carolina

October 22, 2021 | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: Lori Harmon

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Aimee Plumb's goal with 10 seconds remaining in overtime lifted the fourth-ranked University of Louisville field hockey team to a 3-2 win over No. 10 North Carolina Friday evening at Karen Shelton Stadium. With the win, the Cardinals improve to 14-2 on the season and 5-0 in ACC play, earning at least a share of the regular season title.

"As you would expect, each team controlled the play at different times," said UofL head coach Justine Sowry. "We need to look at the video and take some strong lessons away as we head to the important phase of the season. With that being said, I am so proud of the fight that our players displayed against a formidable and well coached opponent. Our team refused to stop fighting!"

In a game that featured two lead changes and two ties, the Tar Heels outshot the Cardinals 11-9 while Louisville held a 7-4 edge in shots on goals. UNC had five penalty corners – including two in overtime, and the Cardinals earned four in the contest. Plumb delivered two goals including the game-winner and Mattie Tabor scored to put Louisville ahead temporarily in the fourth quarter. Freshman goalkeeper Mila de Kuijer posted two saves in the contest.

The teams battled through a scoreless first half with each squad registering two shots on goal and UNC owning a 7-3 advantage in overall shots while Louisville had a 2-1 edge in penalty corners.

The Tar Heels (9-6, 3-2) broke through midway through the third quarter when Kennedy Cliggett deflected a shot from Kate Dixon into the cage to give UNC a 1-0 lead.

The Cardinals answered early in the fourth quarter when Plumb fired a penalty stroke into past North Carolina goalkeeper Abigail Taylor. The sophomore's fifth goal of the season evened the score at 1-1 in the second minute of the frame.

Louisville capitalized on a penalty corner in the fourth quarter to take a 2-1 lead. Junior Julie Kouijzer's initial shot was stopped by Taylor, but Tabor was there to connect on the rebound for her sixth goal of the season.

After lifting Taylor in favor of an extra field player, North Carolina countered with a penalty corner goal of its own when Hannah Griggs redirected a cross from Cassie Sumfest, tying the contest at 2-2 with under three minutes left to play.

At the end of regulation, Louisville gained a 6-4 edged in shots on goals and a 4-3 advantage in corners.

With the score still knotted at 2-2, the game entered a 10-minute 7v7 overtime period. The teams traded possessions with UNC earning a pair of corners, but the Cardinals' defense held strong. In the closing seconds of the game, Plumb took advantage of a Carolina turnover and maneuvered around three defenders before sending the game-winning shot into the cage with 10 seconds on the clock. The current ACC Offensive Player of the Week has scored a pair of goals in back-to-back games and extended her season total to six.

UofL returns to action on Sunday when the Cardinals wrap up a five-game road swing at No. 25 James Madison.

NOTES:
• Louisville is now 5-0 in overtime games including a 2-0 mark in double OT contests.
• UofL is 8-2 against top-25 opponents with its only losses coming at the hands of then-No. 2 (currently No. 1) Iowa on Sept. 19 and No. 2 Michigan on Oct. 10.
• The Cardinals have outscored their opponents 43-15 this season. Eleven different players have contributed to the Cardinals' goal tally with Katie Schneider's nine goals leading the way.