The University of North Carolina has released its 2026 women’s field hockey schedule, a slate that blends home‑field familiarity with a gauntlet of top‑tier opponents.
Pursuing Another ACC Crown
The Tar Heels are targeting their 29th ACC title, a 30th appearance in the Final Four and a twelfth national championship, goals that frame the upcoming season as one of the most ambitious in program history.
The season opens with the ACC‑Big Ten Challenge, pitting North Carolina against Michigan on August 28 and Iowa on August 30, a pair of games that will set the early tone for the campaign.
A Storied Rivalry
UNC’s all‑time record against Michigan and Iowa stands at 37‑7 since 2002, a statistic that highlights the team’s consistency against traditional powerhouses.
In September the Tar Heels will host Penn on September 4 and Princeton on September 6 as part of the Conference Crossover, while also welcoming Old Dominion, Virginia, Boston College, Syracuse and Wake Forest to Chapel Hill.
The program enters that stretch on an 18‑game winning streak against Penn and Princeton over the past eleven seasons, underscoring its dominance in those matchups.
Coach Matson’s Fourth Year
Head coach Erin Matson, now in her fourth season, will guide the squad through eight road contests, a stretch in which UNC has compiled a 22‑2 record over the past three years under her leadership.
The road schedule includes trips to Richmond, Stanford, California, Louisville, Saint Joseph’s, Liberty, Appalachian State and Duke, offering a mix of geographic challenges and competitive balance.
November will see the ACC Tournament return to Karen Shelton Stadium, and the national championship events will be staged in Louisville, Kentucky, where the Final Four is slated for November 20 and the title game for November 22.