The historic season marched on for the top-ranked UNC field hockey team on Friday afternoon in Chapel Hill, as the Tar Heels defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 5-1 in the ACC Tournament Semifinals.

With the win, UNC improves to 18-0 this season and appears like it has no intentions of slowing down entering Sunday’s championship game against Wake Forest.

Three goals in the first 12 minutes–scored by Marissa Creatore, Erin Matson and Malin Evert–helped the Tar Heels pull away from Virginia early on Friday, and they would not look back.

“I was impressed with our quick start – it was a goal of ours,” Shelton said. “I thought we spread the field very, very well and passed the ball unselfishly, which led to goals for us.”

Matson then added her second goal of the contest early in the second half, before Megan DuVernois made it 5-0 in favor of UNC in the 54th minute.

Virginia (9-9, 2-4 ACC) got on the board in the 64th minute on a goal from Anzel Viljoen that came off of a rebounded penalty corner–the Cavaliers’ only such attempt of the afternoon.

Up Next:

UNC will go for the ACC title on Sunday against sixth-seeded Wake Forest, in a game set to begin at 1 p.m.

The Tar Heels will be seeking the 21st ACC Tournament title in program history.

 

 

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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