The No. 2 North Carolina field hockey team (3-0) defeated the University of Pennsylvania Quakers (0-1), 5-0, on Thursday in Louisville to kickoff the ACC-Ivy League Conference Crossover.
The Tar Heels came out strong against Penn with relentless pressure from the outset. Several early offensive pushes by the Tar Heels — including a series of penalty corners taken by graduate midfielder Pleun Lammers and attempts on goal by senior forward Lisa Slinkert and junior midfielder Molly Catchpole — were saved by Penn's goalkeeper Ruby de Frees.
UNC finally broke through in the second quarter with junior midfielder Sietske Brüning scoring off a reverse stick shot.
UNC’s defense persisted against Penn's offense with senior goalkeeper Abigail Taylor making multiple crucial saves throughout the remainder of the second half. The Tar Heels remained in control, with Brüning adding a third goal.
In the third quarter, the junior further extended the lead after converting a rebound from a penalty corner.
Penn struggled to find any offensive momentum, managing only a few attempts on goal, all of which were wide or blocked by the Tar Heel defense.
Catchpole continued to attempt shots, but de Frees continued to intercept her advances. UNC repeatedly won corners and kept Penn on the defensive. Shortly after, Heck scored again off a penalty corner rebound, bringing the score to 5-0.
Penn attempted to push back, with multiple shots from Penn’s Kylie Wall, but first-year goalkeeper Charley Vandenstockt, who replaced Taylor during the fourth quarter, remained solid.
Despite Penn’s few offensive bursts, UNC kept the pressure high, logging more penalty corners and shots, closing the game with a comfortable victory.
