What better way to celebrate a career milestone than a win over your arch rival?
It’s hard to imagine a better night for UNC field hockey superstar Erin Matson, who collected a hat trick Friday to help the No. 9 Tar Heels to a 4-1 win over No. 22 Duke. Matson’s third goal of the night, and Carolina’s fourth, marked the 100th in the career of one of the most decorated athletes to ever step foot in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels would hold their lead for good and take their eighth victory of the season, and second in conference play.
Matson is the 13th player in NCAA Division I field hockey history to score 100 goals, and just the third ACC player to do so. She is one away from tying the all-time conference record of 101, set by Virginia’s Meridith Thorpe.
“[Matson’s] a very special player and I’m proud of her for achieving this milestone,” head coach Karen Shelton said after the game. “Of course, many more to come. She’s exciting to watch and she works so hard to create her attack. She doesn’t just wait for the ball to be delivered to her – she earns it back, she defends, she tackles and creates offense. And she’s unselfish and gives up the ball when somebody else is in a better position.”
Of course, there was also a game played Friday evening. Carolina found themselves trailing after the first quarter and well into the second, before Matson delivered the equalizer on UNC’s first and only penalty corner of the quarter with 1:42 remaining before halftime.
Her second goal waited until midway through the third quarter, when Matson stole the ball in midfield, ran past the Duke defense and rocketed a shot into the cage. Just another day at the office for the two-time reigning national player of the year.
Jasmina Smolenaars added Carolina’s third goal before Matson finished off her hat trick on a penalty stroke in the fourth quarter. She would later leave the game to receive medical treatment on her pinky finger.
Carolina took the victory despite relatively even shots between the teams (19-16 in favor of UNC) and the Blue Devils taking four more penalty corners. UNC’s freshman goalkeeper Abigail Taylor played one of her best games as a Tar Heel, saving six Duke shots.
The Tar Heels will try to extend their winning streak to three games Sunday afternoon when they host No. 10 Liberty in Chapel Hill.
Featured image via Carolina Athletics
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