Mara Küskes - UNC 2023
Brent Warzocha/UAlbany Athletics
4
Winner North Carolina NC (11-2, 4-0)
3
UAlbany UALB (9-5, 5-1)
Winner
North Carolina NC
(11-2, 4-0)
4
Final
3
UAlbany UALB
(9-5, 5-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
North Carolina NC 0 1 2 1 4
UAlbany UALB 0 2 1 0 3

Game Recap: Field Hockey |

#3 North Carolina Takes Shootout

SCORE: UNC 4, UAlbany 3
 
LOCATION: Alumni Turf - Albany, N.Y.
 
RECORDS: UAlbany 9-5, 5-1 AE | North Carolina 11-2, 4-0 ACC
 
SHORT STORY: The Great Danes battled the Tar Heels in what proved to be a one-goal decision, Sunday afternoon.
 
COACH PHIL SYKES: "These games are tough. [UNC] comes in and they have such a big name and a history and an aura about them. It's so easy to lose the game before it gets started. We've played these games and we are down 2-0 and in the blink of an eye, the game is over. Our goal was to play one period at a time and to come out with energy and flip the script a bit - put pressure on them. Our first half was unbelievable … we were unlucky not to be up two or three goals. I could not be prouder because [with today's game and atmosphere] we have proven that we can perform when we get into the [postseason] and there is a lot of pressure."
 
KEY STATS
  • Freshman Mara Küskes and junior Blanca Orsola led the team with one goal and one assist each.
  • Junior Alison Smisdom added the third goal.
  • UAlbany outshot North Carolina, 16-12, with a 10-9 advantage in shots on goal.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
  • After a scoreless first quarter, North Carolina opened the scoring with a goal off a penalty stroke in the second quarter.
  • The Great Danes answered with two goals before the end of the half to take the halftime lead.
  • With 6:31 on the clock, Mara Kuskes grabbed the ball from a rebounded shot to flick it over the goalie and score the first UAlbany goal.
  • Just four minutes later, Blanca Orsola one-touched a blocked shot to send the ball past the goalie for the Great Danes' go-ahead goal.
  • Scoring two goals in three minutes, the Tar Heels took the lead in the third quarter.
  • Less than 90 seconds after UNC's third goal, UAlbany earned a penalty corner to lead to its goal.
  • Driving the ball for a direct shot from the top of the circle, Alison Smisdom scored with a stick stop from Orsola and an insert from Küskes.
  • The Tar Heels closed out the contest with the game-winning goal in the 58th minute of action.
 
NEXT: The Great Danes will host New Hampshire (Oct. 20) and Lehigh (Oct. 22) for their final regular-season contests at home.
 
For more information on the University at Albany field hockey team, follow the squad's official social media accounts shown below.
Twitter - @ualbanyfh
Instagram & Threads - @ualbanyfh
Facebook – facebook.com/UAlbanyFH
 
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