No. 1 seed UNC field hockey cruises past Delaware, 4-0, in the first round of the NCAA tournament

No. 1 seed UNC field hockey (19-0, ACC 8-0) shutout Delaware (12-10) 4-0 in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Friday morning at Karen Shelton Stadium. 

A productive first quarter lifted the Tar Heels to an early three goal lead, all scored by players stationed at the far post of the goal.

North Carolina drew 15 penalty corners in Friday's game, but only converted on two, mostly due to Delaware's goalie, Cecile Van Eijck, who notched a program record 19 saves. 

"We weren't as successful with the penalty corners today, but that actually is a blessing in disguise because it made us work for it with open play goals, which is kind of what we wanted back to," head coach Erin Matson said. "Not dip off APCs [penalty corners], but have the best of both worlds."

After failing to convert on two corners in the fifth minute, North Carolina retained possession in Delaware's side of the field a minute later. Senior midfielder Jasmina Smolenaars swept a cross from the left side of the circle right to fifth-year midfielder Katie Dixon at the far post of the cage. Dixon tapped it in to give UNC a 1-0 lead. 

On a corner in the 12th minute, sophomore forward Charly Bruder swung for a high-powered shot on goal, only to be deflected. Multiple UNC players pounced on the rebound, but it was fifth-year back Ciana Riccardo from the left post of the cage who put it in goal. 

"I just know that when I do find myself in that role, I need to own it and make sure I can do everything in my power to get it in the back of the net," Riccardo said. 

Not even a minute later, senior forward Kennedy Cliggett in front of the goal slung a pass to senior forward Lisa Slinkert, again on the far post, who tapped it into the back of the cage. At the end of the first quarter, the Tar Heels held a stifling 3-0 advantage. 

In the second quarter, North Carolina's momentum stalled, as UNC did not connect with the cage's backboards for the entire 15 minutes. Despite securing a penalty corner as time expired, the Tar Heels did not capitalize. Delaware recorded its eighth save of the afternoon. 

By the 42nd minute, UNC acquired a trio of penalty corners. Redshirt first-year midfielder Hope Haynes fired off the shot in the first two, but both were saved. Bruder took the third. Her shot was blocked and deflected wide. North Carolina found itself in another deadlocked period of play. 

After two off-target corners, the Tar Heels earned another chance in the 50th minute. Bruder received the insert, tapped it behind her back for junior midfielder Sietske Brüning, who slung it into the back of the cage, finally breaking the scoring drought. 

UNC held Delaware to zero shots and zero corner opportunities throughout the entire game. 

"Our attack is strong, but I don't want to overlook our defense because I think the only reason we have the energy and momentum that we have on attack is because everyone's gaining all of that from playing good defense together, coming up with the balls and then turning it into attack," Matson said. "One couldn't happen without the other."

With this win, North Carolina advances to the second round of the tournament. The Tar Heels will host the winner of Maryland and Duke on Sunday at noon in Karen Shelton Stadium. 

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