Three Top 5 wins in seven games? Not too shabby for the No. 2 UNC field hockey team. The Tar Heels opened ACC play with authority Friday afternoon, knocking off No. 4 and previously unbeaten Louisville 3-0 on the road.

The win is UNC’s fourth shutout in a row, three of which have come on the road. In that stretch, the Tar Heels are outscoring their opponents 20-0.

Freshman Ashley Sessa opened the scoring just 8:11 into the game, weaving between multiple Cardinals defenders and firing the ball into the cage in a remarkable solo effort. It was one of Sessa’s five shots on the day, which led all players.

The Tar Heels put the hammer down in the second half, extending the lead to 2-0 on Lisa Slinkert’s fourth goal of the season in the third quarter. Another goal from Paityn Wirth in the fourth quarter truly put the game on ice.

UNC sent 12 shots on goal all afternoon, compared to just three from Louisville. Kylie Walbert, who entered the game at goalie after halftime, saved all three Cardinal shots to preserve the shutout.

When grouped with season-opening wins against Michigan and Iowa, UNC has now defeated three Top 5 opponents on the season. In those three games, Carolina outscored the opposition 11-3.

The Tar Heels now have a full week off before their next game, which will be at home against Wake Forest. It will be Carolina’s first game in Karen Shelton Stadium in 19 days and comes on the heels of three straight road games. But the homestand will be short-lived, as after next Friday Carolina will promptly take another three-game road trip to Liberty, Boston College and UConn.

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