DURHAM, N.C. – California junior Arielle Ship ended No. 4 North Carolina’s season-opening shutout streak as the Golden Bears and Tar Heels played to a 1-1 draw Friday night at Koskinen Stadium in the first game of the Duke Nike Classic.

Ship scored for the Bears in the 15^th minute off an assist from Kelly Fitzgerald to put California (2-1-1) ahead on a Tar Heel team that opened the season with four consecutive shutouts and a 17-0 goal differential. It was the fourth goal of the season for the Cal junior in as many games.

North Carolina (4-0-1) scored the equalizer in the 88^th minute with a goal from Megan Buckingham to prevent the Tar Heels from dropping their first game against the Golden Bears in 10 all-time meetings.

Friday marked the first overtime game for both teams this season with California moving to 10-7-14 all-time in overtime games under Head Coach Neil McGuire.

Sophomore Emily Boyd tallied a season-high five saves on the night against the Tar Heels.

California faces host Duke in Sunday’s final game of the Duke Nike Classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT and will air on ESPN3.

 

Head Coach Neil McGuire’s Take

"Tonight’s game was a true test for us, and a great battle between two very good teams. We are of course disappointed to not close out the game being 1-0 up in the dying moments, but I’m very proud of our girls. UNC is a tremendous team, so there are many positives to take from this match.”

 

Goal Summary

14:46, Cal – Arielle Ship (Kelly Fitzgerald) – Played over the top of the defense by #16, flicked over GK by #10

87:08, UNC – Megan Buckingham (Dorian Bailey) – Blast from 18 yards out in between a scrum in front of the net

 

News & Notes

● California improves to 10-7-14 in overtime games under Neil McGuire

● Arielle Ship’s goal at 14:46 ended a 374-minute season-opening shutout streak for the Tar Heels. North Carolina had not allowed a goal and outscored opponents 17-0 to open the season before meeting Cal.

● Arielle Ship earned her team leading fourth goal of the season, keeping the junior at a 1.00 goals per game average

● Kelly Fitzgerald earned her first career assist

● California earned its first positive results against North Carolina after losing the first nine meetings between the two teams. The Tar Heels now hold a 9-0-1 record in the all-time series that dates back to 1983

● Cal’s unbeaten streak moves to three games, outscoring opponents 8-2 over that span

● California remains unbeaten after scoring the first goal in a game as well as after leading at the half with a 2-0-1 record

● The Golden Bears were out-shot for the first time this season with North Carolina tallying 18 shots to Cal’s 10

● North Carolina’s six shots on goal were the most given up by the Bears this season

 

On The Horizon

California faces host Duke in Sunday’s final game of the Duke Nike Classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. PT and will air on ESPN3.