Stanford field hockey keeps on rolling — the Cardinal advanced to the NCAA’s Round of 16 yesterday with a narrow 1-0 victory over Lock Haven. The team will travel across the country to face No. 1 North Carolina in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday for an 8 a.m. PST game in Chapel Hill, N.C.

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The Stanford field hockey team will play in its first NCAA tournament since 2000 after winning a play-in game against Lock Haven 1-0 on Tuesday. The Card faces No. 1 North Carolina Saturday. #gallery http://daily.stanford.edu/image/full/8157
Arnav Moudgil

The Stanford field hockey team will play in its first NCAA tournament since 2000 after winning a play-in game against Lock Haven 1-0 on Tuesday. The Card faces No. 1 North Carolina Saturday.

Senior goalkeeper Madison Bell turned in her fourth shutout of the year and freshman Xanthe Travlos scored Stanford’s lone goal in the 52nd minute of action. The Cardinal defense held tight for the rest of the match, sending the squad to its first NCAA Tournament in seven years.

“”I am so proud of our team and how hard everyone has worked all season long,” head coach Lesley Irvine told GoStanford.com. “We have played tough teams like this all year so it helped knowing that we just had to continue to chip away. This was a test of our character and we found a way to pull it through.”

“It wasn’t a pretty game at all and we just gutted it out,” Travlos said to GoStanford.com. “Everyone held together and played a role. It looks like we are peaking at the right time.”

The win moves Stanford’s record on the year to 13-7, tying the second-highest win total in program history. The Cardinal heads into Saturday’s daunting matchup against the Tar Heels riding a five-game win streak.

North Carolina comes into the match ranked first in the country with a 20-0 record and four national titles. The odds will be stacked against the Cardinal, which will look to test itself against the sport’s preeminent team.

“We are excited to be part of this tournament and look forward to our opening round match,” Irvine told GoStanford.com. “North Carolina is obviously a great team and this is going to be quite a test for us. This is a special day for our players who have worked hard all year and we are looking forward to the challenge.”