No. 2 UNC field hockey charges past No. 15 Syracuse, 5-0, in ACC opener

No. 2 North Carolina field hockey (5-0, ACC 1-0) dominated No. 15 Syracuse (4-2, ACC 0-1) with a 5-0 win on Friday at Karen Shelton Stadium.

For the first ACC matchup of the year, UNC powered through the Orange with a dominant offensive onslaught. All five goals were scored by different Tar Heels. Saturday also marked the team's third shutout of the season.

"We want perfection," senior goalkeeper Abigail Taylor said. "That's what we're aiming for."

Kicking off UNC's first game at home, North Carolina and Syracuse split possession, firing off quick shots and both earning a penalty corner in the opening minutes. Neither made contact with the cage's backboards. 

In the seventh minute, graduate midfielder Avery Donahue tapped in the ball off a pass to the left post for UNC's first goal of the game and Donahue's first goal of the season.

In the final minute of the quarter, Syracuse's Vivian Rowan broke into the circle for an attempt on goal, but Taylor left her post with a diving kick to clear the ball. 

"She's a huge leader on the field," senior back Kelly Smith said. "Her communication has been outstanding this season, and she has really stepped into a huge role. She makes us all feel so confident with her behind us."

Once again, North Carolina executed on another pass to the post in the opening minutes of the second quarter. Crouched down by the left side of the cage, graduate midfielder Pleun Lammers laid down her stick to usher in a pass from the right side of the circle. UNC increased its lead to 2-0. 

The Tar Heels increased pressure on the Orange's defense, but couldn't convert on their opportunities.

Finally, in the 31st minute, North Carolina earned a penalty corner. Even though the Tar Heels failed to initially capitalize, UNC grabbed its own rebound, finding senior midfielder Jasmina Smolenaars by the back line. Smolenaars snagged an around-the-back shot into the left side of the goal, pushing North Carolina ahead 3-0. 

Syracuse earned back-to-back penalty corner opportunities in the 42nd minute, but UNC's shutdown defense deflected and cleared all shot attempts. Following the defensive play, North Carolina charged downfield, forcing a penalty corner in the Orange's territory.

After senior forward Lisa Slinkert's immediate shot off the insert, junior forward Ryleigh Heck rebounded, tapping in the ball from the right post. At the end of the third quarter, UNC led 4-0. 

In the 50th minute, North Carolina earned three penalty corners in a row but failed to convert on sophomore forward Charly Bruder's powerful hits.

While charging toward Syracuse's circle three minutes later, Heck rocketed a shot from deep, allowing junior midfielder Molly Catchpole to guide in the ball for UNC's fifth and final goal of the night. 

"We just need everyone exactly how they are — playing with their strengths," head coach Erin Matson said. "That's what makes this team so special, year in and year out. They did that while just playing our game and not feeling like they needed to do anything crazy, along with scoring one goal, staying hungry, not letting up any goals [and] scoring another goal."

North Carolina returns to action on Sunday at noon against No. 11 Liberty in Lynchburg, Va.

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