CHAPEL HILL — The transition from Erin Matson, one the best college field hockey players in the sport’s history, to Coach Erin is complete. As she leads many of her former teammates — including one who is older — the team calls the 23-year-old first-year head coach Erin. But there’s plenty of respect for Matson, whose top-ranked team beat No. 4 Michigan 3–2 Friday night in her coaching debut at Karen Shelton Stadium in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge before a record crowd.
Category: Field hockey
Reigning field hockey national champion UNC No. 1 in preseason national poll
From the last season’s final September poll until Erin Matson led North Carolina to the field hockey national championship, the Tar Heels were No. 1 in the NFHCA National Coaches Poll. Matson will begin her head coaching career with her team back in the same spot as UNC tops the preseason poll, released on Tuesday.
UNC favored to win 7th consecutive ACC field hockey title; 2 Heels make Preseason All-ACC team
The ACC came to expect high achievement from North Carolina when Erin Matson was the best field hockey player in the country, and those expectations haven’t changed with her head coaching debut ahead on Friday. In the preseason ACC poll released on Monday, UNC is the favorite to win its seventh consecutive league title after going undefeated last season and winning the program’s 10th national title season, the final year under Coach Karen Shelton.
Set your DVR for some memorable UNC victories to air on ACC Network
If you enjoy watching Carolina win a national championship, beat Duke and N.C. State, Armando Bacot make history and Drake Maye work his magic, set your DVR for Carolina takeover day Saturday on the ACC Network. Each conference school has one takeover day as the network replays the biggest victories aired on ESPN channels during the last school year during “ACC Network School Takeover.” It began Saturday with Wake Forest and ends July 15 with Boston College.
Two recent head coaching hires mean one-third of UNC’s head coaches are alums
Hubert Davis has made a point to hire a coaching staff of Carolina alums, figuring there are many advantages, particularly on the recruiting trail. Who better to convince an athlete to play and study at UNC than a coach who did just that? With recent hirings, more head coaches on campus will have that advantage.
Check out the sights and sounds of UNC’s NCAA champion field hockey, women’s tennis teams at the White House
Carolina’s field hockey and women’s tennis teams were two of the national championship teams honored at the White House on Monday. Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed 19 championship teams at a ceremony outside of the White House as the attendees battled a drizzle. Speaking before Harris was NCAA president Charlie Baker. Logan Eggleston of the Texas women’s volleyball team spoke after Harris.
UNC’s NCAA champion field hockey, women’s tennis teams visit White House on Monday
Carolina’s national championship field hockey and women’s tennis teams will be at the White House on Monday as part of the College Athlete Day celebrations. Dozens of NCAA championship teams across different sports and divisions are expected to be part of the celebration.
University of National Champions by the numbers after Tar Heels’ women’s tennis title
With Coach Brian Kalbas’ Carolina women’s tennis team winning the NCAA title on Saturday, here is a look at the University of National Champions by the numbers.
Wrestler O’Connor, diver Vazquez take top honors at Rammys; Maye pass Top Play
Two individual national champions — wrestler Austin O’Connor and diver Aranza Vazquez — earned Athlete of the Year honors at the Rammy Awards on Monday night at Memorial Hall. The awards program recognizes excellence in Carolina athletics over the previous year. Women’s basketball center Malu Tshitenge of women’s basketball and football defensive lineman Kaimon Rucker were the hosts for the event, which was back at Memorial Hall for the first time since 2019.
One legend replaces another: Matson succeeds Shelton as UNC field hockey coach
How will the Carolina field hockey program maintain its high standard without transcendent star Erin Matson on the field next season? By making her the head coach, as one legend replaces another.