The No. 1 UNC field hockey team continued its reign over the Atlantic Coast Conference Friday afternoon, defeating a tough Virginia team 3-2 in the conference tournament championship. The win is Carolina’s sixth consecutive ACC title, and the fifth in a row for star Erin Matson. It’s also the 25th overall in program history.

“I really enjoy working with this team,” head coach Karen Shelton said afterward. I think we’re exceptionally talented. I think we’re solid in the back. So I’m confident with this team.”

Carolina never trailed in the game. Goals from sophomore Lisa Slinkert and ACC Freshman of the Year Ryleigh Heck staked the Tar Heels to a 2-0 lead at halftime, which they held through the entirety of the third quarter.

“We played really well,” Slinkert said. “I felt [my] goal was coming.”

After what had been a defensive struggle through the first three quarters, Carolina and Virginia combined to score three goals in the final 12:30. The Cavaliers pulled within a goal at 2-1 early in the fourth quarter and had another penalty corner with a chance to tie the game, but were denied by a sprawling Kylie Walbert in goal. It was UNC’s only save of the game.

“I blame myself a little bit,” Shelton said of Virginia’s late push. “Because tactically, we wanted to control the ball. I’m like, ‘Pass it around the back.’ And what happens is, they go back, then they go back a little bit more… and we’re in our circle.”

Heck scored her second goal of the game with 3:03 to go to seemingly put the title on ice, but Virginia once again pulled one back with 1:35 remaining. They weren’t able to find any other breakthroughs from there, and the Tar Heels were able to run out the clock on the championship.

Senior Meredith Sholder, who was also named ACC Defensive Player of the Year this season, was named ACC Tournament MVP. Shelton called Sholder an “unsung hero” of the team.

“Nothing is expected,” Sholder said. “There are no ‘supposed-tos,’ like Coach always says. We had to come out and give it our all no matter what, because you are how you play.”

UNC is now 17-0 overall. As the only undefeated team in Division 1 field hockey, the Tar Heels will go into the NCAA Tournament as the overall No. 1 seed. Carolina is seeking its fourth title in five seasons after seeing its run of three consecutive championships broken last season. The tournament bracket will be revealed on Sunday.

“Seeing how much [field hockey] has exploded at Carolina, it’s huge for the game in the South,” Matson said. “We’re trying to spread it across America, but we’ve got to take care of those little wins. And right now, North Carolina is where we’re doing that.”

 

Featured image via Atlantic Coast Conference

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