Much like their women’s soccer counterparts, the UNC field hockey team began its NCAA Tournament with an emphatic shutout victory.

The fourth-ranked Tar Heels knocked off the No. 12 Stanford Cardinal 3-0 on Saturday in their first round matchup at Maryland’s Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex.

Just three and a half minutes into the game, UNC (18-5) received the only goal it would need off the stick of sophomore Eva van’t Hoog–who rebounded a blocked shot and put it past Stanford keeper Kelsey Bing.

Sophomore Ashley Hoffman added to the lead with a goal in the 27th minute, while the Tar Heels finished off their scoring on the very last play of the game.

In a manner similar to the team’s first goal of the game, senior Emma Bozek gathered a rebound and sent it to the back of the net as time expired.

After taking the early lead, UNC completely controlled the flow of the game–taking 17 shots to Stanford’s three.

“I’m very happy our team was able to advance,” said Tar Heel head coach Karen Shelton, who has led Carolina to a record 58 NCAA Tournament victories in her 36 seasons at the program’s helm.

“Stanford is a very athletic team and we were fortunate to get on the board early. It gave us a little bit of a cushion and we were able to keep the lead.”

It was the fifth shutout the Tar Heels have earned this season.

Next up for Shelton and her team is a date on Sunday with No. 2 Maryland–the host team–in the NCAA Quarterfinals.

“We know we have a tall task in facing Maryland at their place,” Shelton said. “We’re a huge underdog. But we’re proud to have the opportunity to compete and we’re looking forward to a great game tomorrow.”

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