North Carolina junior Charlotte Craddock scored her first hat trick of the season in a 6-2 win against No. 18 Delaware, helping UNC advance to the second round of the NCAA field hockey tournament.
The No. 3 Tar Heels (17-5) took the lead in the first nine minutes of the game with a goal from sophomore Emily Wold. The Blue Hens responded four minutes later scoring off of a penalty corner to tie the game 1-1.
UNC finished the first half with a 4-1 lead after scoring three goals in 90 seconds.
Sophomore Nina Notman scored the first of the three goals on a corner play. Fewer than 30 seconds later, Craddock blasted a shot right past the goalie. The next play of the game Craddock scored again, after a give-and-go with sophomore Casey Di Nardo.
The remaining 15 minutes of the first half remained scoreless, as the Tar Heels possessed the ball.
In the second half of play Craddock scored her third goal of the game for the hat trick. Seconds later the Blue Hens responded with a goal from senior Toni Popinko.
Marta Malmberg scored the sixth and final goal for the Tar Heels for their first win of the tournament.
UNC will play in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday at 2:00pm for their last home game of the season, regardless of the outcome.
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