The No. 2 UNC field hockey team continued its remarkable run of play Friday afternoon, defeating No. 15 Wake Forest 2-0 at Karen Shelton Stadium to stay unbeaten.
The win is Carolina’s fifth shutout victory in a row. The team hasn’t allowed a single goal since facing Princeton on September 2, meaning the Tar Heels will go at least a full month without allowing a score (the team’s next game is on October 2).
On the offensive side, star fifth-year forward Erin Matson scored both goals for Carolina. It was Matson’s first time on the scoresheet since September 9 and broke a rare two-game goalless stretch. Matson’s first came early in the third quarter, breaking what had been a scoreless tie through the first half. Her second, which came with less than five minutes to go in the game, sealed the win. They were her eighth and ninth goals of the season, putting her three ahead of Ashley Sessa for the team lead.
Matson took eight of UNC’s 19 shots on the day, while the defense limited the Demon Deacons to just five. The superb effort snapped Wake Forest’s five-game winning streak and improved Carolina’s ACC record to 2-0.
Due to Carolina’s challenging travel schedule, Friday’s game will be the last home game for 21 days. This comes after the Tar Heels hadn’t played at home for the last 19 days. UNC’s next road trip will take them to Lynchburg, VA, to face No. 16 Liberty on October 2. The Tar Heels are looking to avenge a 4-0 defeat to the Flames in Chapel Hill last season.
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