By Hawkeyesports.com

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 4 University of Iowa field hockey team (12-6, 5-3) fell in its NCAA Final Four matchup, 3-0, to No. 1 North Carolina (18-1, 9-1) on Friday afternoon at Karen Shelton Stadium.

HOW IT HAPPENED   

After a shotless first quarter, the Tarheels broke the silence with the first goal of the game in the 23rd minute, taking the lead, 1-0. Following a rain delay early in the second half, UNC held the lead going into halftime.

After an extended halftime due to additional weather delays, Iowa’s defense continued to pressure the Tarheel offense, until UNC found an opportunity late in the third quarter to extend its lead, 2-0.

With less than two minutes left in the third, UNC notched its final goal off a penalty corner.

The Hawkeyes had four penalty corners in the fourth quarter with one shot in the cage, but it was deemed too high and were unable to find the back of the net and seal the win.

HEAR FROM COACH CELLUCCI  

“I couldn’t be more proud of this team and the resiliency they’ve shown all year and our ability to get to this point which is a big accomplishment in itself. This season was huge, and how dialed in they’ve been since last March when the pandemic hit. We kept our eyes on our goals, and they sacrificed a lot to get to this point. They stayed committed to the process and that makes me the proudest.”

NOTABLES  

• The Hawkeyes matched the Tarheels in shots (9) on the day.
• Junior Grace McGuire registered six saves, junior Ciara Smith notch three shots, and junior Lokke Stribos had two shots.
• Last time Iowa faced UNC was in the Elite Eight in 2019, falling 2-1.
• Iowa’s 2021 season was highlighted by the Hawkeyes 12^th NCAA Final Four appearance.
• Iowa will return its entire senior class for the fall season.