The quest for an undefeated season remained alive for the top-ranked UNC field hockey team on Friday afternoon in Chapel Hill, as the Tar Heels cruised to a 4-0 victory over the William & Mary Tribe in the First Round of this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Freshman Erin Matson scored the game’s first goal in the 18th minute, and UNC went on to dominate the rest of the action.

The Tar Heels (20-0) went ahead 2-0 on a 29th-minute goal from senior Ashley Hoffman, who would score again late in the second half to give UNC a 4-0 lead.

Catherine Hayden was the other goal scorer for UNC, as she found the back of the net just one minute into the second half.

Defensively, it was the ninth shutout of the season for the Tar Heels.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to win this NCAA game,” UNC head coach Karen Shelton said afterwards. “I want to congratulate William & Mary on a terrific season – they played very well, they disrupted us, they beat us to balls in the first half and made it really tough for us. I know the margin was four goals but it seemed a lot closer the entire game.”

Up Next:

The Tar Heels will now get ready for a Second Round matchup against Michigan on Sunday at 1 p.m. In the previous meeting between the two teams earlier this year in the season opener, UNC won by a score of 5-1.

 

For the full NCAA Field Hockey Tournament bracket, click here. 

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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