No. 1 UNC field hockey had a welcome homecoming as it played its first games in Karen Shelton Stadium after nearly a month on the road, sweeping both Old Dominion on Sunday and Wake Forest on Friday night.

Sunday’s matchup saw the Tar Heels earn a 3-1 victory thanks to late heroics from forward Ryleigh Heck. Carolina and Old Dominion entered the fourth quarter tied at 1-1 — but just one minute into the final period, Heck received a pass deep along the left side of the end line. She made a solo run toward the goal and chipped a shot over ODU’s keeper to give Carolina the advantage. The goal marked Heck’s ninth of her junior campaign.

UNC’s star forward Charly Bruder also found the back of the net with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to double the team’s advantage. She also scored the Tar Heels’ first goal, as she was assisted by Sanne Hak just three minutes into the game. Bruder now stands with 17 goals on the season — by far the most on the team.

The duo of Bruder and Heck, who lead the ACC in points per game, also ran roughshod over Wake Forest on Friday during a 7-0 rout by the Tar Heels. Heck opened the scoring just one minute in the match, with Bruder adding a second for UNC four minutes later and a third goal in the second period.

Senior forward Kennedy Cliggett scored Carolina’s first goal of the second half — which was also her first on the season — while Lisa Slinkert added Carolina’s fifth in the third quarter, and Hak and Sietske Brüning added two more in the final period.

Head coach Erin Matson and her program will now prepare for a pair of top ten matchups at home next weekend. UNC will host No. 4 Virginia on Friday, Oct. 25 before playing No. 9 Boston College on Sunday, Oct. 27.

 

Featured photo via Matt Clements.

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