The University of North Carolina’s field hockey program has cemented its place among the nation’s elite, capturing nine ACC titles in a row and finishing the 2025 season with a 21‑2 record. Head coach Erin Matson, who took the helm in 2023, brings a stellar 22‑2 road record that underscores the team’s resilience on unfamiliar terrain.
Road Schedule Challenges
Next season the Tar Heels will tackle an ambitious slate that includes eight road contests out of a 17‑game schedule. A five‑game stretch against Stanford and Cal will test their mettle before they head east, while familiar foes such as Michigan and Iowa await in season‑opening matchups that have historically favored UNC.
Roster Evolution
The roster will look markedly different from the squad that dominated the previous year. Departures such as Ryleigh Heck, Sietske Brüning, Dani Mendez and Sanne Hak leave large shoes to fill, prompting Matson to integrate new talent and reshape strategies for the upcoming campaign.
ACC play opens against Virginia before the team embarks on a demanding road trip that features contests with Louisville, Stanford, Cal and Saint Joseph’s. The Tar Heels will face Louisville three times in a row, a test of the 22‑2 road record that has defined Matson’s tenure.
Adding to the narrative, Saint Joseph’s, the team that halted UNC’s perfect 2024 run with a 2‑1 victory in the NCAA semifinal, returns to the schedule in October, promising another intense encounter. The season culminates with home games against Wake Forest and Duke, the latter at the iconic Karen Shelton Stadium, as the Tar Heels chase a tenth consecutive ACC championship.