Back-to-back will have to wait.
2-seed Northwestern fell 2-1 in brutal fashion to undefeated 1-seed North Carolina in the NCAA title game on Sunday, denying the Wildcats a second consecutive national championship. While the Tar Heels dominated much of the contest, outshooting NU 15-2 (9-1 on goal), the loss was still gut-wrenching. The ‘Cats tied the game with less than two minutes left in regulation on a Bente Baekers penalty corner goal, but proceeded to give up the game winner just 40 seconds later.
The UNC offense was relentless in the first quarter. Northwestern didn’t manage any shots, whereas Carolina had five and were awarded two penalty corners.