Seven Goals Propel Field Hockey To Victory In Return Home

Friday, October 18

Chapel Hill

6 PM

North Carolina

(11-0)

Wake Forest

(5-8)

WFU

UNC

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

October 18, 2024 | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In its first home game in nearly a month, the North Carolina field hockey team romped to a 7-0 victory over Wake Forest on Friday night. Goals from six different players made it a happy homecoming at Karen Shelton Stadium.

The Tar Heels (11-0, 5-0 ACC) celebrated their alumni night against the Demon Deacons and played as if strengthened by the stars of their past. Head coach Erin Matson's team outshot their opponents 19-7 on their way to fifth game this year scoring more than five while not allowing a goal themselves.

Momentum favored the Tar Heels right from the start, as it took junior Ryleigh Heck just over a minute to score the game's opening goal. She was followed three minutes later by fellow superstar Charly Bruder, who added another in the second quarter to give Carolina a 3-0 lead at the half.

Heck and Bruder continue to run wild through opposition defenses. The duo hold the top two spots in the ACC in points and shots per game while Bruder leads in goals (15) and Heck in assists (13). They are the only two players in the conference to be averaging more than 2.5 points per game and there's only one other averaging more than two.

The first goal of the second half got the biggest cheer from the Tar Heel bench though, as senior forward Kennedy Cliggett scored her first of the season in a pure hustle play. The Warrington, Pa., native got on her horse from deep in the defensive zone, spring nearly the length of the field to put herself in perfect position to get on the end of a Sanne Hak pass in.

KENNEDY GETS HER FIRST!!!

Another Tar Heel text book goal finds Cliggett's stick and our lead grows again 😎 pic.twitter.com/LnLnOjgh7M
— UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) October 18, 2024

The sophomore Hak got a goal herself in the fourth after being awarded a penalty shot, the team's first of the year, which she converted into the roof of the net. Lisa Slinkert and Sietske Brüning also got on the scoresheet to complete the victory for Carolina.

This contest was the first of four home matches for Matson's team. The next comes in a game against Old Dominion on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. The team will celebrate FHockey Fest with a t-shirt giveaway, pumpkin painting and other fun events.