Tar Heels Shut Out Virginia 5-0 in ACC Road Battle

Friday, September 27

Charlottesville, Va.

5:00 PM

North Carolina

(8-0, 2-0ACC)

Virginia

(7-2, 1-1ACC)

North Carolina

Virginia

The Tar Heels huddle following Friday's win.

September 27, 2019 | Field Hockey

Box Score Watch Highlights Box Score

By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Top-ranked North Carolina earned a shutout in a top-five field hockey battle Friday evening, beating No. 5 Virginia 5-0 at UVa's Turf Field. The Tar Heels improve to 8-0 overall and 2-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play with the win, while the Cavaliers fell to 7-2 (1-1 ACC).

"I thought UVA fought hard today and we've got to respect that – they brought the best out in us," UNC Associate Head Coach Grant Fulton said. "I don't think the scoreline reflected the game – it was closer than the score shows."

Even as the result was the same as in every other UNC game this fall, the sideline looked quite different: head coach Karen Shelton, in her 39^th season with the team, missed Friday's game and will also miss Sunday's at James Madison because of a family wedding. But the Tar Heels marched on, earning their first ACC road win of the season.

UNC got off to a slow start, failing to register a first-quarter shot for the first time all fall. The second quarter was a different story, however: Carolina scored three goals in four minutes to pull away for good.

On a breakaway in the the 22^nd minute, sophomore Erin Matson sent the ball into the circle to senior Catherine Hayden, who one-touched it past Virginia keeper Lauren Hausheer for the gamewinner.

Fifty-eight seconds later, the Tar Heels scored again, this time on a penalty corner. On UNC's third shot of the possession, senior Yentl Leemans sent a reverse into the right corner of the cage for a 2-0 lead. A transfer who is in her second year playing –and starting – for UNC, Leemans has been among the team leaders in assists throughout her time as a Tar Heel, but this was her first Carolina goal.

Just under three minutes later, UNC added another. In a traffic in front of the cage, Matson tapped a pass to senior Marissa Creatore, who scored from close-range to make it 3-0.

The Tar Heels added two more goals in the fourth quarter. In the 48^th minute, Hayden got around two defenders and fired from the middle of the circle, sending a shot just inside the left post.

In the 58^th minute, Leemans sent a ball into the circle, where Hausheer knocked it away. Matson grabbed the rebound on the left side and put it back for UNC's fifth goal.

UNC keeper Amanda Hendry made a season-high six saves in her first complete-game shutout of the fall. Freshman Madison Orobono had a defensive save to help preserve the team's third shutout of the season.

"We had a great defensive stand when it mattered and took advantage our opportunities, which was the difference in the game," said Fulton, who is in his 15^th season on the Carolina staff. "Our corner defense stood firm and our goalkeeper had an outstanding game. We managed to play phases of the game really well."

This weekend's games are just the third and fourth Shelton has missed in her UNC career of almost four decades. "The older I get, the more I treasure the time I'm able to spend with my family and it's not often that all of my siblings can be together," said Shelton, who is at a nephew's wedding in Asheville, N.C. "So I felt really strongly about being there this weekend. That said, I would never feel comfortable missing a game if I didn't have such complete and total faith in my staff. I know they'll do an outstanding job, and the team will, too. I'll miss being with them this weekend and will look forward to seeing everyone back in Chapel Hill."

The Tar Heels will bus on to Harrisonburg, Va., Saturday to face James Madison (3-5) there on Sunday. Gametime at the Dukes' JMU Field Hockey Complex is noon.

"Recovery is critical – this was a mentally and physically tough game," Fulton said before walking off the Cavaliers' bright blue turf Friday night. "Our focus will be on being the best we can be on Sunday. They're going to present us some different challenges and we'll look a film and prepare for playing them at their place. It's going to be tough, and we're not taking anything for granted. "

No. 1 UNC 5, No. 5 Virginia 0
Scoring: UNC – Catherine Hayden (Erin Matson), 21:08: UNC – Yentl Leemans, 22:06: UNC – Marissa Creatore (Matson), 24:57; UNC – Hayden, 47:42; UNC – Matson, 57:31
Shots: UNC 16 (0/9/2/5), UVa 15 (5/4/2/4)
Penalty Corners: UNC 4 (0/3/0/1), UVa 9 (3/2/1/3)
Goalkeeper Saves: UNC 6 (Amanda Hendry, 60:00, 6 saves, 0 goals allowed); UVA 4 (Lauren Hausheer, 60:00, 4 saves, 5 goals allowed)
Defensive Saves: UNC 1 (Madison Orobono)
Records: UNC 8-0, 2-0 ACC; UVA 7-2, 1-1 ACC

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