No. 1-seeded UNC field hockey routes Duke, 3-0, to advance to the NCAA semifinals

The No. 1-seeded North Carolina field hockey team (20-0, 8-0 ACC) defeated the No. 9-ranked Duke Blue Devils (13-7, 6-2 ACC), 3-0, on Sunday afternoon in the second round of the NCAA tournament at Karen Shelton Stadium. 

A first-half brace from junior forward Ryleigh Heck pushed the Tar Heels past Duke. The defense remained relentless, only allowing for one Duke shot on-goal. The victory leaves UNC as one of the four remaining teams in the NCAA tournament. 

“We knew it was going to be a great story,” head coach Erin Matson said. “We just wanted a good ending, and our girls made that happen.”

The opening quarter was marked by a fast pace and strong defense from both teams. 

UNC’s defense, propelled by fifth-year and senior back Ciana Riccardo and Kelly Smith, broke up many Blue Devil passes and fast-break opportunities. Duke’s one penalty corner opportunity fell wide. 

“Nothing new from us at this point in the season,” Matson said. “Just disallowing their key players the ball and keeping the number of shots and circle entries and everything to a minimum.” 

In the waning seconds of the quarter, Heck found the back of the net on her third attempt of the afternoon. After senior forward Lisa Slinkert’s shot was blocked, then sophomore forward Charly Bruder’s, Heck found herself with her back to the goal. She swung and capitalized, earning her 14th goal of the season. 

Heck wasted no time to strike again. In the opening minutes of the second quarter, Heck received a high-flying pass inside the arc from senior midfielder Jasmina Smolenaars. She dribbled away from the goal, and, over her left shoulder, propelled the ball off of the goalkeeper and into the net. 

“It's a lot of practice, and I just keep doing it,” Heck said. “I go with my gut, and luckily they go in.”

UNC held a 2-0 lead going into halftime, propelled by Heck’s first half brace. 

UNC seized its first penalty corner opportunity early in the third quarter. Following the insert from Riccardo, Bruder’s shot was blocked. UNC gained another opportunity off this block, but was once again shut down by the Blue Devil defense. 

After senior forward Kennedy Cliggett’s drive inside drew another penalty corner, Riccardo inserted the ball. The ball fell into the stick of junior midfielder Seitske Brüning, who rocketed the ball through the crowd of players by the goal. Positioned at the post, Cliggett angled her stick for the ball to soar in the goal past the defenders.

“Usually, it's either between me or [Heck], and [Heck] wasn't on the field,” Cliggett said. “So I was like, ‘Okay, it's my time to step up right now.’”

With the win, the Tar Heels advance to the NCAA tournament semifinals in Ann Arbor, Mich. They will play the winner of Princeton vs. St. Joseph’s on Friday. 

@aplancaster_

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