WINSTON-SALEM, N.C – The California field hockey team (7-10) fell to North Carolina (16-0), 5-0, in the opening round of the NCAA Championship on Tuesday morning at Kentner Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
 
"I am proud of this group. The coaches asked them to lay it out there today and they did," Donna Fong Director of Field Hockey Shellie Onstead said. "We have had to be gritty all year and overcome adversity. Making the ACC tournament was a great accomplishment, and this entire experience helps us to build forward."
 
The Golden Bears fell behind early after North Carolina scored a goal in the opening minute from a penalty corner. The Tar Heels took nine shots and had two corner attempts in the opening period. The Bears kept things close after recording two saves in the quarter. North Carolina took control of the game in the second quarter after draining two goals in the period, including a penalty stroke goal to take a 3-0 lead at the halfway mark.
 
Cal struggled to overcome North Carolina's defense after only totaling one shot attempt and one corner in the first half.
 
After a scoreless third quarter, the Tar Heels added two additional goals in the fourth quarter en route to securing a 5-0 victory. North Carolina took the advantage in shot attempts (20-2) and penalty corners (11-3).
 
Junior goalkeeper Tina Jolly recorded eight saves, which tied her season high.