Carolina Sets ACC Record With 36th Consecutive Win

Friday, October 18

Winston-Salem, N.C.

6:00 PM

North Carolina

(13-0, 5-0ACC)

Wake Forest

(6-8, 0-4ACC)

North Carolina

Wake Forest

October 18, 2019 | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score

By: UNC Athletic Communications

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Behind two goals by senior Marissa Creatore and another by sophomore Erin Matson, the top-ranked North Carolina field hockey team beat No. 20 Wake Forest 3-1 Friday evening at Kentner Stadium. UNC improved to 13-0 overall and 5-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play with the win, while Wake fell to 6-8 (0-4 ACC).

It was the 36^th consecutive win for the Tar Heel program, setting an ACC record. The previous mark was 35 in a row by Maryland during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Coincidentally, that streak ended on the same field where UNC set the record Friday: After 35 wins in a row, the Terrapins fell to UNC in the 2009 NCAA Championship game, hosted by Wake Forest.

pic.twitter.com/XnqlaAdrUh — UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) October 19, 2019

"I'm delighted with the 3-1 win here at Wake Forest," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "It's always a tough place to play. Wake has no quit in them and they really work hard. They got down three goals and they kept fighting and putting us under pressure. Credit to them. I'm proud of our team. Now we'll turn our sights to Liberty."

The Tar Heels host No. 17 Liberty on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Karen Shelton Stadium in Chapel Hill. The Flames will be UNC's ninth ranked opponent in 14 games this fall.

On Friday, the Tar Heels pulled ahead early, scoring just 3:22 in when Matson, who had a hand in all three goals, sent a ball to the front of the cage, where Creatore deflected it in for the gamewinner and a 1-0 lead.

UNC continued to threaten but didn't score again until just before halftime. With 1:08 to play before the break, the Tar Heels got another goal on the same combination. Matson passed a ball from the left baseline to the front of the cage, where Creatore tipped it past Wake keeper Isla Bint.

The Tar Heels scored again 1:23 into the fourth quarter on a penalty corner, one of just two for the game. Carolina's first shot was blocked but Yentl Leemans gathered the rebound and passed to Matson, who scored to make it 3-0 UNC.

Wake's goal came in the 56^th minute of play, on a penalty corner. Anne van Hoof had the goal, assisted by Meike Lanckohr and Kelsey Gill.

The Demon Deacons outcornered UNC 4-2 for the game, but the Tar Heels led the way in shots by a wide margin, 16-5.

Afterward, UNC celebrated the win, but not the record streak. "The only thing we talked about was the fact that it doesn't really matter at all and that what we care about is the next game," Shelton said, standing on the turf as her team stretched nearby. "Already we're thinking about Liberty. You're only as good as your next one. Streaks don't matter, and undefeated seasons don't really matter, in the grand scheme of things. It's about us improving, getting better, and preparing for the postseason."

No. 1 UNC 3, No. 20 Wake Forest 1
Scoring: UNC – Marissa Creatore (Erin Matson), 3:22; UNC – Creatore (Matson), 28:52; UNC – Matson (Yentl Leemans), 46:23; WFU – Anne van Hoof (Meike Lanckohr (Kelsey Gill), 55:33
Shots: UNC 16 (4/5/2/5), WFU 5 (1/0/3/1)
Penalty corners: UNC 2 (1/0/0/1), WFU 4 (0/0/2/2)
Goalkeeper saves: UNC 1 (Amanda Hendry, 60:00, 1 goal allowed, 1 save), WFU 7 (Isla Bint, 60:00, 3 goals allowed, 7 saves)
Records: UNC 13-0 (5-0 ACC), WFU 6-8 (0-4 ACC)

UNC starters: Amanda Hendry, Erin Matson, Madison Orobono, Catherine Hayden, Romea Riccardo, Abby Pitcairn, Yentl Leemans, Eva Smolenaars, Courtnie Williamson, Megan DuVernois, Marissa Creatore
UNC subs: Hannah Griggs, Bryn Boylan, Karlijn Goes, Riley Fulmer