Five members of the national championship-winning UNC field hockey team were named All-South Region performers by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Wednesday. Erin Matson, Meredith Sholder, Ryleigh Heck, Ashley Sessa and Sietske Brüning each were recognized for their outstanding play during the season.

Matson scored the game-winning goal in UNC’s championship win against Northwestern, her 28th of the season. Including her 10 assists, Matson became the ACC’s all-time leading points scorer in her fifth and final season as a Tar Heel. She is also the all-time leader in NCAA Tournament points and goals, and was named tournament MVP and ACC Offensive Player of the Year for her efforts. She led UNC in both goals and assists.

Sholder, like Matson, also just completed her final season. Playing in the midfield, Sholder was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and ACC Tournament MVP as Carolina won its sixth consecutive conference title. With Sholder anchoring the defense, UNC allowed just 21 total goals in 21 games.

Heck was named ACC Freshman of the Year after scoring 18 goals, including one in the championship game. Fellow freshman Sessa had nine goals; she and Heck ranked third and second on the team in goals behind Matson. Brüning helped lead the UNC defense with Sholder and also dished out eight assists on the season. Her final one came on Heck’s goal in the title game.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati

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