Carolina scored three goals in the opening quarter of Friday’s NCAA Tournament first-round game against Delaware at Karen Shelton Stadium, and the Tar Heels cruised to a 4-0 win to advance to Sunday’s national quarterfinals.

Katie Dixon, Ciana Riccardo and Lisa Slinkert all found the back of the cage within the game’s first 13 minutes to give Carolina a comfortable lead. The score stayed 3-0 until Sietske Brüning’s fifth goal of the season early in the fourth quarter.

Carolina’s dominance was borne out in the box score. The Tar Heels outshot the Blue Hens 27-0, including 23 shots on goal. UNC also took 15 penalty corners to Delaware’s zero. It’s the first time since 2018 – head coach Erin Matson’s freshman season – that the Tar Heels have held an opponent without a single shot, on target or otherwise.

The win keeps UNC undefeated on the season at 19-0. Carolina will be back in action on Sunday at 12 p.m. in Chapel Hill in the NCAA quarterfinals. The Tar Heels will face either Maryland or Duke for the right to advance to the Final Four in Ann Arbor, MI next weekend.

 

Featured image via UNC Field Hockey on Twitter

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Ashley Hoffman Named Division I Field Hockey South Region Player of the Year
UNC senior Ashley Hoffman was named the Longstreth/NFHCA Division I South Region Player of the Year on Thursday by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.  This is the second straight year in which Hoffman has won this award. Hoffman played a key role in the Tar Heels’ 23-0 season culminating in the program’s seventh NCAA championship, […]
UNC Field Hockey Announces 2025 Regular Season Schedule
The UNC field hockey program has announced its 2025 regular-season schedule. The Tar Heels are looking to reach at least the NCAA semifinals for the fourth consecutive season. Tell a friend to tell a friend, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘽𝘼𝘾𝙆! The 2025 schedule is here 📆 pic.twitter.com/LPFCFpGp6A — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) July 18, 2025 The […]
'We're Walking a Fine Line': UNC's Erin Matson Talks House Settlement, New AD and Upcoming Season
UNC field hockey head coach Erin Matson joined 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell for a wide-ranging conversation Monday. Matson discussed the effects of the House settlement on her program, the hiring of Steve Newmark athletic director-in-waiting and preparations for the 2025 season. Read Matson’s comments, which have been lightly edited for clarity, below, or click here […]
On Air Today: UNC Field Hockey Head Coach Erin Matson
UNC Field Hockey Head Coach Erin Matson speaks with 97.9 The Hill News Director Brighton McConnell on Monday, July 14 as the offseason continues for her program.
UNC Women's Sports Programs Win 2024-25 Capital One Cup
UNC has been named the winner of the 2024-25 Capital One Cup, awarded annually to the most successful women’s athletic program of the season. The winner is determined by accumulating points in a combination of NCAA championship wins and major poll finishes. Four women’s sports programs at UNC – field hockey, soccer, lacrosse and tennis […]
UNC Field Hockey's Erin Matson, Professor Jim Johnson Honored With Statewide Awards
Ten people, including three with ties to UNC, were given some of the state's top honors Thursday by North Carolina Governor Josh Stein.
Erin Matson Named to Forbes' '30 Under 30 Sports' List for 2025
UNC field hockey head coach Erin Matson has been named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Sports” List for 2025, honoring young stars around the world who are “fearlessly leading sports into the future,” according to the magazine. “Honored to be alongside such inspirational barrier breakers,” Matson said on social media. “Proud to represent Carolina and […]
Saint Joseph's Upsets No. 1 UNC Field Hockey in NCAA Semifinals
Saint Joseph's snapped No. 1 UNC's 27-game winning streak and ended the Tar Heels' bid for a third straight national championship.
UNC Field Hockey Shuts Out Duke, Advances to 28th Final Four
Carolina cruised past No. 9 Duke in its final home game of the season on Sunday afternoon, shutting out the Blue Devils 3-0 in the NCAA quarterfinals to advance to next week’s Final Four in Ann Arbor, MI. Final Four here we come!!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/cycFgXBFdV — UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 17, 2024 Ryleigh […]
UNC Field Hockey Cruises Past Delaware in NCAA Tournament 1st Round
Carolina scored three goals in the opening quarter of Friday’s NCAA Tournament first-round game against Delaware at Karen Shelton Stadium, and the Tar Heels cruised to a 4-0 win to advance to Sunday’s national quarterfinals. Took care of business in round 1️⃣#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/8s9vvXHaEI — UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 15, 2024 Katie Dixon, […]
›