Boston College Athletics
No. 6 Field Hockey Hosts No. 1 UNC Friday
September 24, 2014 | Field Hockey
Chestnut Hill, Mass. – No. 6 Boston College field hockey welcomes No. 1 North Carolina to the Newton Sports Complex Friday, Sep. 26 for its second Atlantic Coast Conference tilt of the season. BC won its first conference matchup against Syracuse last weekend and looks to continue its success in ACC play Friday.
The Eagles made the jump into the top ten this week after having defeated two top-ten opponents this season. BC topped No. 2 Connecticut in two rounds of shootouts when it hosted the Huskies on Sep. 14 and beat then-ranked No. 4 Syracuse, 3-2, in overtime on the road last weekend.
The Tarheels have faced top-ranked, formidable opponents in the opening weeks of the 2014 season as well. UNC hosted the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, defeating both No. 8 Iowa and No. 14 Michigan during the tournament. The Heels also secured a big victory over former ACC member and 2013 NCAA semifinalist Maryland (No. 4).
North Carolina owns a 1-1 record in the ACC so far. UNC won its first ACC matchup against No. 10 Syracuse, 3-0, but lost a hotly contested match at No. 11 Louisville, 3-2.
Senior forward Charlotte Craddock leads the Tarheels with 15 points on seven goals and one assist. Loren Shealy, also a senior forward for the Heels, is second on the team with 14 points on five goals and four assists.
For the Eagles, sophomore forward Brittany Sheenan leads the squad with 12 points on six goals and no assists. Senior midfielder Emma Plasteras is second on the team with ten points on three goals and four assists.
Boston College tops the ACC standings while North Carolina ranks fifth in the conference. The Eagles lead the ACC in saves per game (5.50) and save percentage (.772). North Carolina ranks fourth in the ACC in goals scored (25) with BC trailing closely behind (23).
Last season, the Tarheels beat Boston College in Chapel Hill, 5-2. BC came back from a 3-0 hole on goals by Emma Plasteras and Emily McCoy in the second half, but UNC answered with two additional goals including one on an empty net.
Overall, Boston College is 1-11 against North Carolina. The sole Eagle victory came on Oct. 10, 2008 when No. 15 upset No. 4 UNC, 2-0, at home. Both goals were scored by soon-to-be Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Famer Bob Dirks.
Come out to watch the top-ten matchup between No. 6 BC and No. 1 UNC at the Newton Sports Complex Friday, Sep. 26 at 4 p.m.
To keep up with BC field hockey news and receive in-game updates, follow @BCfieldhockey on Twitter.
