The UNC field hockey team improved to 3-0 on the young season Friday evening, beating Princeton 4-3 in Carolina’s home opener at Karen Shelton Stadium.
Fifth-year senior Erin Matson scored her third and fourth goals of the season in the win, stating her case to be ACC and National Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight time. Matson took four shots during the game, tied with Princeton’s Beth Yeager for most among all players.
UNC freshman Ryleigh Heck opened the scoring just 2:10 into the game with her second goal of the year. Princeton tied the game barely a minute later, but Matson’s first goal gave Carolina a 2-1 lead just three minutes after that. The scoring flurry slowed down until late in the second quarter, when Lisa Slinkert slotted home her second goal of the season to give UNC a 3-1 lead. Matson picked up an assist on the play.
Yeager scored two minutes later, and the score remained 3-2 in favor of the Tar Heels deep into the fourth quarter. Matson finally put the game on ice with 3:27 remaining, restoring UNC’s two-goal advantage. Princeton scored its final goal on a late penalty stroke, but could cut no further into the lead.
The No. 2 Tar Heels will play the second game of their Ivy League doubleheader on Sunday afternoon, when the team hosts Penn at Karen Shelton Stadium. It’s one of just five regular season home games for Carolina, who will leave for a rare west coast trip after this weekend.
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