If there was any debate about whether the No. 1 North Carolina field hockey team deserved its top ranking, there isn’t after this weekend.
By defeating Delaware 6-0 on Friday and Villanova 10-0 on Sunday, the Tar Heels proved that, despite last weekend’s overtime loss to Syracuse, the top ranking undoubtedly belongs to them.
The Tar Heels recorded their third shutout of the season in
Sunday’s win against Villanova, holding the Wildcats’ offense to just two shots on goal.
“It’s a young defense,” coach Karen Shelton said. “We’re growing and maturing with every game that we play, and I’m really pleased with their development so far.”
The Tar Heels’ offense was also firing on all cylinders Sunday. UNC struck first when forward Jaclyn Gaudioso Radvany redirected a ball from midfielder Kelsey Kolojejchick past the goalkeeper.
“I was very pleased with the offensive output,” Shelton said. “We played well as a team and we moved the ball particularly well. It’s something that we’ve been working on — one- and two-touch passing and balance in the scoring circle.”
Sophomore Samantha Travers followed up a two-goal performance against Delaware with a hat trick against Villanova. All three of Travers’ goals on Sunday came on penalty corners.
“I happened to be in the right position at the right time, and for some reason they happened to go in today,” Travers said.
The Tar Heels have outscored their opponents 22 to 3 on the season and have racked up 39 penalty corners while holding their opponents to just 10.
