October 23, 1998

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The fifth-ranked North Carolina field hockey team beat visiting Boston College Saturday afternoon at Navy Field in a game that left even UNC coach Karen Shelton impressed.

"I'm very happy with this game, not only with the win and the score but with the fact we played so well and that everyone on the team contributed," she said. "Today was the best that we've played all season."

Senior Nancy Pelligreen scored a second-half hat trick, with two goals off penalty corners and another from the field, and added an assist. Freshman Abby Martin scored on a penalty corner in the first half to put Carolina up 1-0 at halftime. Boston College tied the score with 31:58 remaining on a penalty corner goal by senior Joy Ramsbotham, but Carolina answered just over a minute later when Pelligreen's first goal gave the Tar Heels the lead again. UNC senior Moira McFadden scored off a penalty corner then Pelligreen provided the final two goals.

"It's a good win because they're ranked, too," Pelligreen said. "We played with intensity and good fundamentals. We're improving with each game. Our defense has gotten better and now we have to focus on being more consistent."

The Tar Heels (11-4) play their final home game of the season Tuesday night when they host Wake Forest at 7:30 p.m. A win over the Demon Deacons would give Shelton the 300th win of her coaching career. She is in her 18th year as a head coach and has spent all of them at North Carolina. The game is also Senior Night and the team's three seniors-Pelligreen, McFadden and Stacey Schweighart-will be honored during pre-game introductions.

Game summary:

Goals: UNC-Abby Martin (Erin Cox, Moira McFadden), 30:42, 1st; BC-Joy Ramsbotham (Anne Marie Ambros, Janis Cornwell), 30:21, 2nd; UNC-Nancy Pelligreen (Jana Toepel), 31:58, 2nd; UNC-McFadden (Pelligreen), 27:32, 2nd; UNC-Pelligreen, 15:26, 2nd; UNC-Pelligreen, :14, 2nd

Shots on goal: BC-9, UNC-19

Goalkeeper saves: BC-11, UNC-3

Defensive saves: BC-0, UNC-0

Penalty corners: BC-4, UNC-12

Records: BC, 12-3; UNC, 10-4