NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Recap: Matson’s Hat Trick Paces UNC, Two More Shootouts and Allessie’s Late GWG Enough for PSU

Nov. `13 —

North Carolina 5, Saint Joseph’s 2

Erin Matson scored a hat trick as No. 1 North Carolina downed St. Joseph’s 5-2 to advance to the Final Four

Saint Joseph’s fought off some early pressure for North Carolina in the opening minutes of the first quarter. North Carolina controlled possession for most of the quarter and earned three penalty corners, but could not find the back of the cage. The Tar Heels broke through in the 10^th minute of play when Paityn Wirth knocked in a rebound of a Matson shot.

Back-and-forth in the second quarter which saw three green cards between the two teams. Kiersten Thomassey made a great defensive play with less than five minutes in the second play to thwart a Saint Joseph’s breakaway.

North Carolina doubled their lead with a penalty corner blast from Matson to take a 2-0 lead late in the second quarter. Matson added another goal in the last minute of the play to give North Carolina a 3-0 lead at the half.

Matson completed a hat trick early in the third quarter when North Carolina was awarded a penalty stroke. Saint Joseph’s responded to cut the lead to 4-1 when Leigh James scored off a penalty corner.

Ashley Sessa added another goal early in the fourth quart to extend North Carolina’s lead to 5-1. Saint Joseph’s responded with a goal of their own as Sol Borensztein’s shot trickled in past Kylie Walbert.

North Carolina held a 19-5 advantage in shots and 6-3 in penalty corners. Walbert made three saves while Robin Bleekemolen made six saves.