CHAPEL HILL -- The last time the field hockey team defeated North Carolina, this year's seniors were only in the second grade.
Once again, the 20th-ranked Blue Devils were unable to break that 14-year streak, falling to the No. 1 Tar Heels 3-0 on Wednesday evening at Navy Field in Chapel Hill.
The loss wasn't due to a lack of effort from senior goalkeeper Heather Moles and the Blue Devil defense, however. Despite giving up three goals, Moles made countless saves which could have easily been converted into additional Tar Heel goals. Moles made 20 saves for the Blue Devils (8-10, 1-6 in the Atlantic Coast Conference), while North Carolina outshot Duke 34-4.
"I thought Heather had a great game," head coach Jacki Silar said. "My defense came together really well for [North Carolina] having [15] corners. They came together and talked on defense. Carolina was cutting the ball very strongly and they were making good passes, but the defense was there to put the stops to them."
Although the Blue Devils were able to upset No. 7 Virginia just a week and a half ago, Duke could not knock off the Tar Heels (17-0, 8-0 in the ACC).
"I think we played one of the best teams in the country," Silar said Wednesday night. "I think [the Tar Heels] played one of the best games they've ever played--that I've ever seen in my coaching. They executed really well today."
The Blue Devils held the Tar Heels scoreless for most of the first half until UNC forward Kate Barber notched the first goal of the game for North Carolina off a penalty stroke with 2:22 left in the first half.
After the half, UNC came out quickly and scored just 9:17 into the second period, on a goal by Tar Heel Joy Driscoll. Barber added UNC's third score with a little more than 10 minutes left to play in the game.
Despite the somewhat lopsided score, Silar was pleased with the way her team responded to the challenge of playing the Tar Heels.
"We did some really nice things," Silar said. "My defense played really well. We had to adjust some people because my starting sweeper isn't here."
Junior sweeper Lynn Schoenherr did not play against North Carolina due to a death in the family. Due to Schoenherr's absence, senior midfielder Jodi Taylor was moved to the backfield.
"I thought Jodi Taylor had a really nice game," Silar said. "I had to adjust her to the left back position, and she did a nice job."
When the two teams faced off earlier this season, North Carolina also won by a 3-0 margin. But that does not dissuade the Blue Devils, who still feel that they have improved their play in the month since they last lost to the Tar Heels.
"If you look back on all the games that Carolina has played again, they have improved as well," Silar said. "Against Wake Forest, [UNC] beat them the first time 1-0 and the second time 6-0. Virginia--the first time they beat them 1-0, the second time it was like 5-1. So I feel we have improved, since we kept it at the same score."
With the victory, North Carolina set the ACC field hockey record for most consecutive wins at 17. The win also clinches an unbeaten record for UNC in conference play.
With only two more regular-season games left before entering the ACC tournament next weekend in College Park, Md., the Blue Devils will need to keep their confidence level up to finish the season.
"When you play the No. 1 team in the country, and play the game we played, it's nothing to be discouraged about," Silar said. "We know that we're a good team and we'll stay confident that we are."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.