Gymnastics Registers Season-High Uneven Bars Score in Dual-Meet Loss at North Carolina

Friday, February 17

Chapel Hill, N.C.

7PM

University of New Hampshire

195.075

195.875

North Carolina

Gymnastics Registers Season-High Uneven Bars Score in Dual-Meet Loss at North Carolina

2/17/2017 10:00:00 PM | Women's Gymnastics

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By: Mike Murphy

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Danielle Mulligan (Farmingdale, N.Y.) earned a victory on the bars for the fifth consecutive week, finishing with a season high-tying 9.900, as the University of New Hampshire Gymnastics team fell to 10-3 with a 195.875-195.075 loss at the University of North Carolina.

The Wildcats showed a strong start on the uneven bars, where Mulligan, co-captain Meghan Pflieger (Barneveld, N.Y.), and Jessica Gracia (Bahama, N.C.) each hit a 9.800 or higher to earn the best team score of the season in the event (49.100). New Hampshire slipped a bit on the vault, but bounced back to achieve high marks on the floor exercise and balance beam. In total, there were seven scores of 9.800 or above during the final two events.

MEET INFORMATION
Date: February 17, 2017 (7 p.m.)
Score: North Carolina (195.875), UNH (195.075),
Records: UNH (10-3), North Carolina (9-3)
Location: Carmichael Arena | Chapel Hill, N.C.

NEXT HOME MEET
The Wildcats will host their annual Stick It for the Cure meet against Temple University on Sunday, Feb. 19 (1 p.m.). Wear pink, help the 'Cats raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness while defeating the Owls at Lundholm Gym. Tickets are available HERE and at 603-862-4000.

HIGHLIGHTS

Lia Breeden (York, Pa.), Casey Lauter (Northport, N.Y.), and Pflieger each scored a 9.875 on the balance beam to tie for first place.
Danielle Doolin (Medford Lakes, N.J.) and Pflieger tied for second in the all-around, where they each totaled a 39.075.
Pflieger recorded top-three finishes on the vault, bars, and beam. The senior was UNH's top scorer on the vault as well as the beam.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Wildcats began the night on the bars, where Mulligan extended her streak to five straight individual victories. The sophomore finished in first place yet again, with a season high-tying score of 9.900. Pflieger also set a season high, earning a 9.850 and a share of second place. UNH totaled a 49.100 on the bars, which was its best team score of the season in the event. They defeated the Tar Heels, who scored a 49.050.

New Hampshire then moved to the vault, where Pflieger achieved the team's top score. The senior recorded a 9.750, finishing with a share of third place. Elizabeth Mahoney (Hanson, Mass.) was another top performer for the 'Cats. She totaled a 9.700 and earned sixth place. As a team, the Wildcats were narrowly outscored by North Carolina in the event (48.750 to 48.400).

On the floor, Danielle Doolin (Medford Lakes, N.J.) led New Hampshire for the second consecutive meet. The sophomore tied for third, recording a 9.875. The score was just shy of her personal best of 9.900. Brittany Capozzi (Derry, N.H.) tied her season high of 9.850, while finishing in fifth place. The Wildcats, who totaled a 48.850 as a team, were just barely beaten by the Tar Heels, who scored a 48.950.

In the final event of the night, Pflieger, Lia Breeden (York, Pa.), and Casey Lauter (Northport, N.Y.) each scored a 9.875 on the balance beam to tie for first place. The mark was a season high for all three gymnasts, as they led New Hampshire to a team score of 48.725 in the event. They were edged by North Carolina on the beam, who totaled a 49.125.

TEAM NOTES

The Wildcats achieved their highest bars team score since February 7, 2016 against Towson, Bridgeport, and Brown, when they earned a 49.125 in the event.
Mulligan came away with an individual victory on the bars, while Pflieger, Lauter, and Breeden finished in a four-way tie for first on the beam.
The 'Cats totaled 10 scores of 9.800 or better across the bars, beam, and floor. Six gymnasts either recorded or tied season highs.

The 2017 UNH gymnastics season is presented by Happy Bodies. Visit them at www.happybodies.com. For more information on the UNH gymnastics team, visit www.unhwildcats.com.