Field Hockey Defeats Delaware To Advance In NCAA Tournament

Friday, November 15

Chapel Hill, N.C.

11 AM

North Carolina

(19-0)

Delaware (NCAA First Round)

(12-10)

Delaware

UNC

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

November 15, 2024 | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: William Soule

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Four goals from unlikely sources and a lockdown defense propelled North Carolina Field Hockey to a 4-0 win over Delaware in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

The Tar Heels (19-0) offense that leads the nation in goals per game found the back of the net in variety of ways on Friday morning. Goals from Katie Dixon, Ciana Riccardo, Lisa Slinkert, and Sietske Brüning, who have combined for just 13 on the year, show why the Tar Heel attack is so difficult to defend.

On the defensive end, the Carolina back line allowed zero shots and no corners to the Blue Hens. It's only the fifth time in NCAA tournament history that a team has been held without a shot, most recently happening when the Heels held William & Mary to none in their second-round matchup in 2018. It is the 11^th shutout of the year for the Tar Heels.

Three of Carolina's goals came in quick succession in the first quarter, with Dixon, Riccardo and Slinkert all finding themselves with easy opportunities at the back post. Senior Kennedy Cliggett played a big role in the second and third, hitting the shot that rebounded to Riccardo before slicing through the Delaware back line to set up Slinkert.

The senior Brüning put the final touches on the victory for the Tar Heels with a rocket shot off a penalty corner routine for her fifth of the season. She was set up by Charly Bruder who picked up her third assist to add to her nation's best 55 point tally. She or Ryleigh Heck have had at least one point between them in every game Carolina has played this season.

Every Tar Heel on the roster that was available to play in this game did so with four making their NCAA tournament debuts.

Carolina will face the winner of Maryland and Duke on Sunday at noon at Karen Shelton Stadium with a spot in the final four on the line.Tickets are available at here or at the gate.