It's always a "Great Day to be a Tar Heel."
It's an even better day to be a Tar Heel when you beat Duke at any type of sporting event (especially with a trip to the Final Four on the line!)
In the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Karen Shelton Stadium, the UNC Field Hockey team defeated Duke by a score of 3-0. The win sends the Tar Heels back to the Final Four, which will take place in Ann Arbor, Michigan starting on Friday, November 22.
Ryleigh Heck proved why she's one of the country's best, scoring each of the Tar Heels first two goals of the game. Heck found the back of the net for her first goal just before the first period came to a close, and followed by burrying a shot (which was assisted by Jasmina Smolenaars a little over two minutes later.
RYight place. RYight time.
— UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 17, 2024
Ryleigh Heck puts its away to give us the lead! pic.twitter.com/75IKJsFzYO
Players who can do 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 🤩 pic.twitter.com/3hn41oyTso
— UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 17, 2024
While Heck's goals put the Tar Heels in front for good, senior Kennedy Cliggett made sure to get into the action. In her final home game as a Tar Heel, Cliggett scored a goal with just about a minute remaining in the third period, essentially putting the game out of reach.
What a moment for the senior in her last game at KSS 🥹🩵 pic.twitter.com/BUJABK1UcC
— UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 17, 2024
Now, the UNC Field Hockey team advances to the NCAA Tournament semifinals, where they'll take on No. 4-seeded St. Joseph's for a chance to clinch a spot in the NCAA Championship game on Sunday.