UNC Field Hockey Beats Virginia to Win 9th Consecutive ACC Tournament Title

Dani Mendez scored two goals to haunt her former team and lead UNC to a 4-1 win against Virginia in the ACC Tournament title game in Louisville Friday. The win is Carolina’s ninth straight conference championship and 28th overall. It’s also the 300th ACC title overall for UNC programs.

Mendez, who played her first three seasons at Virginia before transferring to UNC, followed up her two-goal performance against Duke in the semifinals by scoring the game’s opening goal less than four minutes into the game. She followed that up with her second goal early in the second quarter.

Charly Bruder put the Tar Heels up 3-0 less than five minutes later. The game went to halftime with Carolina holding a 3-1 advantage after Virginia scored later in the second period.

After halftime, Reese Anetsberger restored the three-goal lead just 43 seconds in, cashing in on an assist from Mendez for her fifth goal of the season. The Carolina defense ensured the lead would stand up, holding the Cavaliers without a shot – on target or otherwise – for the entire second half. UNC outshot Virginia 14-5 for the game, with an 11-4 edge in shots on goal. Mendez was named ACC Tournament MVP.

With the win, Carolina is now 19-1 overall this season and has won 11 straight games. The Tar Heels, who entered the ACC Tournament ranked No. 1 in the national polls, are virtually ensured of the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament, which begins next week. The bracket will be announced Sunday, November 9 at 10 p.m.

Featured image via UNC Field Hockey on Twitter

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

‹

No. 2 UNC Field Hockey Picks Up Win vs. Iowa, Sweeps ACC-Big Ten Challenge

A pair of third quarter goals earned the UNC field hockey team its second ranked win of the year, beating No. 6 Iowa 2-1.

UNC Field Hockey Opens 2024 Season With Win at No. 12 Michigan

The champs are back, and they’re back in style. The UNC field hockey team opened its 2024 title defense in the best possible way, trouncing No. 12 Michigan 4-1 on the road in Ann Arbor on Friday. That's one ✅#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/JjO0fNw45D — UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) August 30, 2024 After weathering a storm of Michigan […]

'Who's Going to Turn Down Another Year in Chapel Hill?': Matson Talks Return, New Column

On August 17, 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck chatted with UNC field hockey star Erin Matson, about her new “Notes from the Field” column sponsored by Chapel Hill Tire on Chapelboro.com. “Notes from the Field” is about Matson’s life in field hockey and day-to-day adventures. This transcript has been edited for clarity. You can listen […]

November 19, 2018: Karen Shelton

UNC field hockey won the 2018 NCAA championship with a 2-0 win over Maryland in Sunday's final. Aaron spoke with legendary Tar Heel head coach Karen Shelton, now a seven-time national champion.

Current, Former Tar Heels Claim Gold With USA Field Hockey

Team USA Field Hockey features five current or former Tar Heels.

UNC Field Hockey Falls to Northwestern in Overtime in NCAA Final Four

Northwestern scored 9:23 into sudden-victory overtime to cap off a comeback win and beat UNC 4-3 at the NCAA Final Four in Durham Friday afternoon. The Wildcats hadn’t led all day, as Carolina raced out to a 2-0 lead inside 15 minutes thanks to goals from sisters Ryleigh and Kara Heck. Though Northwestern closed the […]

UNC Field Hockey Beats Duke in Overtime to Advance to Final Four

Sanne Hak scored the game-winning goal off a penalty corner in sudden-victory overtime against Duke to send UNC through to the Final Four Sunday at Karen Shelton Stadium. The 2-1 win is Carolina’s third against the Blue Devils this season, two of which have come in overtime. THREE TIMES DOWNING THE DEVILS!! AND WE'RE HEADED […]

UNC Field Hockey Escapes Saint Joseph's in NCAA Tournament 1st Round

Despite a spirited effort from underdog Saint Joseph’s, UNC escaped with a 2-1 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Karen Shelton Stadium Friday afternoon. The Tar Heels are now through to Sunday’s second round, where they will await the winner of Iowa and Duke. Won the battle. More war to come!#GoHeels […]

UNC Field Hockey Earns No. 1 Overall Seed in 2025 NCAA Tournament

Carolina is once again the No. 1 team in the country entering the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels earned the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed Sunday night for the fourth consecutive year. Top seed. Not satisfied. The Heels host the NCAA First & Second Rounds once again. pic.twitter.com/Xer4W9IYtK — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 10, […]

UNC Field Hockey Beats Virginia to Win 9th Consecutive ACC Tournament Title

Dani Mendez scored two goals to haunt her former team and lead UNC to a 4-1 win against Virginia in the ACC Tournament title game in Louisville Friday. The win is Carolina’s ninth straight conference championship and 28th overall. It’s also the 300th ACC title overall for UNC programs. 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐒 […]

›