Tar Heels Pitch Season's First Shutout, 6-0 Over Penn

Sunday, September 8

Chapel Hill

1:00 PM

North Carolina

(4-0)

Penn

(0-2)

Penn

North Carolina

Eva Smolenaaers celebrates a Tar Heel goal with Catherine Hayden (8). Smolenaars, a junior, had a goal and an assist in Sunday's win.

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

September 8, 2019 | Field Hockey

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By: UNC Athletic Communications

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina field hockey team hit season bests in offense and defense Sunday in a 6-0 win over Penn at Karen Shelton Stadium. On a hot and sunny afternoon, the top-ranked Tar Heels (4-0) scored more goals than in any other game this fall while earning their first shutout of the young season.

After hosting four games (two of their own, two that were neutral-site matchups) and three other teams (Princeton, Penn and Wake Forest) in the ACC-Ivy League Conference Crossover over the weekend, the Tar Heels now look ahead to another home game next Sunday (Sept. 15) at 3 p.m. against William & Mary.

On Friday in the first game of the weekend, UNC scored three late goals to beat No. 5 Princeton in a thrilling 4-3 contest. Sunday, the Tigers were on the upside of another thriller, beating No. 10 Wake Forest 2-1 in overtime in the day's first game. After that excitement, the Carolina-Penn matchup got both a late start (1:45 p.m. instead of 1 because the previous game ran so long) and a slow one, with the game scoreless through almost 19 minutes of play.

But five of the Tar Heels' six goals came in the second quarter, and as UNC coach Karen Shelton pointed out, Carolina did not sacrifice quality for quantity. "They were spectacular," she said of her team's goals, which came from five different players.

Sophomore Erin Matson kicked off the scoring at the 18:48 mark with a rocket from the top of the circle. Senior Yentl Leemans gave her a pass just inside the arc and Matson turned and fired what would prove to be the gamewinner into the cage.

Two minutes later, Matson was in on another goal, sending a ball into the circle, where senior Marissa Creatore, stationed in front of the cage, tipped it past the keeper for a two-goal lead.

UNC's next goal came on a penalty corner, one of three in the second quarter and 10 on the day. Leemans passed to Matson, who sent the ball to junior Eva Smolenaars on the left side of the circle. Smolenaars delivered a shot inside the left post to make it 3-0 Tar Heels.

Not even a minute later, redshirt freshman Romea Riccardo sent a long pass from the right sideline downfield to Matson, who received the ball on the run then fired it into the circle to senior Catherine Hayden, who redirected it past the keeper and into the cage for a 4-0 lead.

In the 28^th minute, sophomore Riley Fulmer got her first goal of the season and the second of her career, sending a laser into the roof of the cage. Her shot was assisted by Smolenaars and made the score 5-0 heading into halftime.

UNC's sixth goal came in the 58^th minute on a penalty corner. After the stop, freshman Karlijn Goes sent a no-look pass behind her to Leemans, who shot. Hayden deflected the ball in for a 6-0 lead.

Beyond the scoring, Shelton appreciated the passing that made it possible. "What I really liked about the game is we finally started passing like Carolina," she said. "In our first three games we weren't really passing the ball like our normal selves. Today we were able to get our eyes up and find someone with the ball."

The margin gave UNC the opportunity to sub early and often, with eight players seeing time off the bench. "It was good for them to have the opportunity to get out there," Shelton said. "I thought they made some good decisions and looked organized and confident."

No. 1 UNC 6, Penn 0
Scoring: UNC – Erin Matson (Yentl Leemans), 18:48; UNC – Marissa Creatore (Matson), 20:42; UNC – Eva Smolenaars (Matson), 22:24; UNC – Catherine Hayden (Matson), 23:12; UNC – Riley Fulmer (Smolenaars); UNC – Hayden (Leemans)
Shots: UNC 30 (6/8/5/11), Penn 2 (0/1/1/0)
Penalty corners: UNC 10 (1/3/2/4), Penn 0
Goalkeeper saves: UNC 1 (Amanda Hendry, 30:00, 1 save, 0 goals allowed; Alex Halpin, 30:00, 0 saves, 0 goals allowed); Penn 12 (Ava Rosati, 60:00, 12 saves, 6 goals allowed)
Records: UNC 4-0, Penn 0-2

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, Julia Herrington, Bryn Boylan, Karlijn Goes, Abby Pitcairn, Riley Fulmer, Ellen Payne, Alex Halpin