Duke Falls to No. 1 North Carolina, 3-0, in NCAA Quarterfinal

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Top-ranked North Carolina scored a goal in each of the first three quarters to down No. 9 Duke, 3-0, in NCAA Field Hockey Championship quarterfinal action Sunday afternoon at Karen Shelton Stadium.
The Blue Devils conclude the 2024 season with a 13-7 overall record while North Carolina remains undefeated at 20-0. Duke goalkeeper Frederique Wollaert made a season-high eight saves and finished the year with a Blue Devil single-season record 0.67 goals against average.
 
How it Happened

• The opening quarter was an even affair with much of the action being played in the middle of the field as Duke’s high press was effective against the Tar Heels. North Carolina’s Ryleigh Heck had the Tar Heels’ first two shots in the period with Duke goalie Frederique Wollaert turning away both shots.
• North Carolina, however, took advantage of a fastbreak opportunity in the final 20 seconds. After breaking out of the defensive third, Avery Donahue sent the ball into the circle to Charly Bruder who had her shot blocked. The rebound fell to Lisa Slinkert on the left post. Duke did well to get a stick on Slinkert’s shot, but the loose ball landed for Heck who slid it into the cage with four seconds left in the period.
• Duke had the lone penalty corner of the stanza as Macy Szukics’ sweep slipped wide right of the goal.
• The Tar Heels wasted little time, doubling the lead as Heck once again found the back of the cage. Jasmina Smolenaars knocked the ball into the circle from the left side and Heck collected the bouncing ball, turned and beat Wollaert for the 2-0 lead.
• Duke freshman Julia Boehringer had the Blue Devils’ best look of the opening half late in the second quarter, stealing a pass and firing wide left of the cage. The Blue Devils held North Carolina to just one shot following the early goal, heading into the locker room down, 2-0.
• The Blue Devils’ defensive penalty corner unit turned in a pair of outstanding efforts early in the third quarter as Josephine Veen made a defensive save on the first Charley Bruder shot. Wollaert got down on the ensuing corner to turn away Bruder again, keeping Duke within striking distance.
• North Carolina struck for a third time in the 44th minute with Kennedy…