Delaware’s Season Ends in Second Round of the NCAA Tournament
Ben Kane
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Nov. 15, 2024) -CAA Champion Delaware (12-10) had its season come to an end with a 4-0 loss to top-seeded and two-time defending champion North Carolina in the second round of the NCAA Field Hockey Championship on Friday afternoon.
North Carolina jumped to an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter courtesy of goals from Sietske Bruning, Katie Dixon, and Ciana Ricardo.
Delaware goalkeeper Cecile Van Eijck kept the Blue Hens in the contest and held the Tar Heels scoreless for the next two quarters before Lisa Slinkert scored North Carolina’s final goal of the contest early in the fourth quarter. Van Eijck set her season high and program record for most saves in an NCAA Tournament game with 17 stops. The number also ties the season-high for a CAA goalkeeper in 2024.
Delaware, which defeated Fairfield, 2-1 in overtime, in the opening round on Wednesday, was unable to get a shot off against the Tar Heels and suffered its first loss of the season by more than one goal.
The Blue Hens finished the year making their 17
th NCAA Tournament appearance. Delaware owns 11 NCAA Tournament wins all-time, and eight under head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof.