Tar Heels Take Down Duke To Book Final Four Spot

Sunday, November 17

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Noon

North Carolina

(20-0)

Duke (NCAA Second Round)

(13-7)

Duke

UNC

Photo by: NATE SKVORETZ

November 17, 2024 | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina field hockey took a decisive 3-0 victory over rival Duke on Sunday afternoon to advance to the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament.

A pair of goals from reigning ACC Offensive Player of the Year Ryleigh Heck powered the Tar Heels (20-0) into their record 28th final four appearance. Senior Kennedy Cliggett added a cherry on top in the third quarter to send the graduating class off with a win in their final game in Karen Shelton Stadium.

Carolina needed some time to break down a good Blue Devil defense, but with time expiring on the first quarter the Heels got out in transition. The defense quickly turned into offense and as the ball ricocheted around the circle it finally fell to Heck who backhanded it home.

Barley a minute into the next period, Jasmina Smolenaars looped a cross into the circle that once again found Heck who smashed it into the net with her back turned to the goal. The third tally of the day came from the ever dangerous Carolina attacking corner when Cliggett redirected a Sietske Brüning pass for her second goal of the season.

UNC forced a season high nine saves from Duke's goalkeeper, a season high for the Blue Devils. Meanwhile, Carolina keeper Abigail Taylor earned her second straight shutout and 12th of the year. Her 0.44 goals against average is the best in the country by a wide margin.

The trip to Michigan will be the Heels' third straight final four appearance while making 15 of the last 16 overall. There they will face the No. 4 seed Saint Joseph's who took a 1-0 win over Princeton to punch their ticket. Opening hit for that game will be on Friday, Nov. 22 at noon ET.