An impressive all-around effort carried the No. 2 UNC field hockey team to a 6-0 victory on Saturday afternoon in Louisville over the California Golden Bears.

Five different players scored at least one goal–led by two from Catherine Hayden–while the Tar Heel defense posted its third shutout in six games this season.

UNC improved to 6-0 with the win, which was just the second the team has posted against an unranked opponent in 2018.

Hayden opened scoring in the game just over four minutes into the action, as the Tar Heels continued to keep the pressure on throughout the rest of the day.

Marissa Creatore scored off of an assist from Ashley Hoffman in the 15th minute to make it 2-0. Hayden then added her second goal shortly before the end of the first half to make it 3- 0 at the break.

Goals from Hoffman, freshman Erin Matson and Leila Evans in the second half extended the UNC lead, with California (2-2) struggling to create any type of offense of its own.

In total, the Tar Heels racked up 27 shots in the game compared to just eight for the Golden Bears.

“It’s always nice to get a shutout on the road, so I’m pleased with how we finished the game,” head coach Karen Shelton said afterwards. “I thought we played very well at times. It was fun to get a chance to play all of our student-athletes. Leila Evans had a beautiful goal to end the game, and that was something everyone felt good about.”

 

 

Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)