Seniors Maria Whitehead, Heather Aughinbaugh and Lynne Shenk stepped onto the field together for the 42nd consecutive time and shut out, 2-0, 12th-ranked UNC on Senior Day. The 4th-ranked field hockey team improved their record to 13-2 (3-0 ACC) while extending their winning streak to 12 games. In the last regular season home game of the year, the Deacs continued their defense of Kentner Stadium, recording 21 straight victories.

"The surface is unique and we have a fast team," Head Coach Jen Averill said. "Our kids just really enjoy playing at home."

Though Averill is pleased with her team's current success, she was quick to note that winning streaks and rankings are not to be taken seriously.

"We never mention the winning streak; it is a home game, but we never bring that home streak up," Averill said. "Don't throw rankings in there or records, it is just a home game, keep it simple."

For neighboring rivals who usually battle for supremacy, the Deacs have owned the Tar Heels as of late, winning five straight contests.

"I think each time we play them we learn something new about them and something about ourselves. We were fortunate this weekend to come out with a win against them," Averill said. "That was the best Carolina team I have seen in a while. Three years ago, when we upset them, that was the obstacle, knowing that you could beat them."

Wake Forest drew blood first when sophomore Kelly Dostal took a flip from junior Kelly Doton on the left side of the cage and batted it out of the air past diving senior goalie Amy Tran.

"I thought the goal Kelly Dostal had was classic, that is her signature shot," Averill said. "We were under a lot of heat in the first half and Carolina put a great press against us. Our kids did a great job of surviving it, but I was disappointed with our inability to stop the big ball."

The second half continued to be a defensive struggle as both goalies made incredible saves. However, the Deacs would strike again late in the game when Aughinbaugh dribbled through several defenders into the circle and fired a quick shot underneath Tran, sealing the 2-0 victory.

"I was not really thinking about the significance of it being the last home game of the regular season or the goal because it was such a tight game," Aughinbaugh said. "And afterwards, I kind of felt it would not be our last time to play at home."

Aughinbaugh has apparently found her game and deservingly was named ACC Player of the Week. In the last four games she has accumulated seven goals bringing her season total to 10 goals and 23 points. "I am feeling more comfortable taking the ball towards the goal," Aughinbaugh said. "Carolina put a lot of pressure on us and made things difficult which is a credit to them."

Averill said, "She is one of the most skilled and finessed players you will see play in this conference. Her decision making and internal motivation has been a huge reason why we are enjoying the success that we are."

The Deacs' amassed 15 shots to UNC's 14, but lost the penalty corner battle 11 to 7. Averill is not pleased tallying less penalty corners than her opponent, but considering a period in the second half when UNC had four straight says a lot about the Deacs' defense.

"Ridder (the Deacons' goalie) and our corner defense played brilliant," Averill said. "That is not a situation we care to be in and it is good to see we survived it."

The shutout marks the sixth for the Deacs this season while junior goalkeeper Katie Ridd earned her fifth solo shut out.

Ridd made seven saves on the day and Tran finished with eight.

The Demon Deacons will take their streak, their pride and their game up to Charlottesville, Va., on Oct. 27, to battle the Cavaliers of UVa., who are currently ranked 19th in the coaches' poll. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

"Whatever we have accomplished in the past is in the past," Averill said. "We are going to go into Virginia, not worry about the result and play like we are capable of playing."