No. 2 North Carolina field hockey (14-0, ACC 7-0) overpowers No. 9 Boston College (11-5, ACC 5-2) in a 4-0 win at Karen Shelton Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
In their final home game of the season, UNC field hockey seniors starred in a hard-fought win on Senior Day. Senior back Kelly Smith’s first career goal kicked off a scoring onslaught by the Tar Heels after a slow offensive start. Senior goalkeeper Abigail Taylor recorded four saves on the day and her ninth shutout of the season to lead the Tar Heels’ defensive unit.
A high-intensity first few minutes characterized the aggressive shot selection and defensive tactics of both teams as the game began.
Right out of the gate, the Eagles offensive unit penetrated the Tar Heels’ defense and Boston College junior midfielder Eva Kluskens fired a shot close inside, which was quickly punched out by senior goalkeeper Abigail Taylor.
A flurry of blocked shots ensued until fifth-year midfielder Katie Dixon was able to get a clean shot off, but a save by Boston College goalkeeper Charley Kramer prevented the Tar Heels from finding the back of the cage in the seventh minute.
The Tar Heels seemed disjointed offensively in the first period, but Taylor provided a formidable force against the Boston College attack, with two impressive saves in the first fifteen minutes to prevent the Eagles from striking first.
A skillful behind-the-back pass from sophomore forward Charly Bruder to senior midfielder Jasmina Smolenaars saw the Tar Heels find their offensive groove to end the first period.
Smolenaars then tapped the ball to senior back Kelly Smith, who fired a straight-on shot into the back of the blackboard. Smith’s first goal of the season, and her career, put the Tar Heels up, 1-0.
In the 21st minute, junior forward Ryleigh Heck sped past the Boston College defense and punched in a wide open shot over the middle for her eleventh goal of the season. The Tar Heels had come alive after a lackluster first period, and led 2-0 with eight minutes remaining in the second half.