Since a shaky start, Notre Dame has run off 19 games without a loss. Carolina, meanwhile, struggled through is ACC regular season before coming on strong in the postseason. It crushed Wake Forest, 5-2, in the quarterfinals and some solid minutes out of senior Ali Hawkins, who has been injured.
Key players:
Casey Nogueira. The 2008 Player of the Year disappeared during the 2009 regular season, tallying just six goals and five assists, but she has come on strong in the postseason. Her two goals led the Tar Heels to a 3-0 win over Florida State in the ACC final, and she had a hat trick in the 5-2 win over Wake Forest in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament.
Lauren Fowlkes. Coach Randy Waldrum's key move was probably to move Fowlkes, a defender, to the frontline, where her ability to hold the ball settled the Irish attack. Fowlkes is enjoying a breakout season with 10 goals and four assists.
North Carolina Probable Starters
Goalkeeper
18 Ashlyn Harris, SR Satellite Beach, Fla.
Defenders
9 Whitney Engen, SR Rolling Hills Estates, Calif.
16 Rachel Givan, JR Ridgeland, Miss.
32 Kristi Eveland, SR Southlake, Texas
Midfielders
4 Meghan Klingenberg, JR Gibsonia, Pa.
12 Lucy Bronze, FR England
22 Amber Brooks, FR New Hope, Pa.
98 Tobin Heath, SR Basking Ridge, N.J.
Forwards
47 Jessica McDonald, JR Glendale, Ariz.
54 Casey Nogueira, SR Raleigh, N.C.
84 Courtney Jones, SO Danville, Calif.
Notre Dame Probable Starters
Goalkeeper
1 Nikki Weiss, JR Redding, Conn.
Defenders
5 Molly Campbell, SO Mission Hills, Kan.
8 Haley Ford, SR Midland, Texas
12 Jessica Schuveiller, SO Plano, Texas
25 Julie Scheidler, JR Indianapolis, Ind.
Midfielders
7 Amanda Clark, SR Naperville, Ill.
15 Rose Augustin, JR Silver Lake, Ohio
17 Courtney Barg, SO Plano, Texas
Forwards
4 Taylor Knaack, JR Arlington, Texas
6 Melissa Henderson, SO Garland, Texas
9 Lauren Fowlkes, JR Lee's Summit, Mo.
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