The UNC field hockey team rebounded from a tough loss earlier in the weekend by flattening the Albany Great Danes Sunday, to the tune of a 6-0 rout.

The Tar Heels used a four-goal second quarter to put the game out of reach by halftime. After Paityn Wirth scored just 90 seconds into the game, goals from Kennedy Cliggett, Erin Matson (twice) and Jasmina Smolenaars put Carolina up 5-0 at the break.

Carolina outshot Albany 10-1 in the first half, and cruised for the rest of the game. A final goal from Lisa Slinkert put the cherry on top of the performance. The Tar Heels ended the game with a 21-6 advantage in shots, and a 7-5 advantage in penalty corners.

Matson, the reigning National Field Hockey Coaches Association Offensive Player of the Week, extended her team lead in goals with her 14th and 15th scores against the Great Danes. Combined with her eight assists, Matson now has 38 points this season. No other Tar Heel has more than 15.

No. 5 UNC will now take their 7-4 (1-1 ACC) record into a critical homestand next weekend, with games against No. 20 Duke on October 8 and No. 12 Liberty on October 10 providing a chance for the Tar Heels to start another winning streak.

 

Featured image via Carolina Athletics

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Field Hockey Loses Late Lead, Falls to No. 20 Old Dominion at Home
Despite leading 4-1 in the third quarter and carrying a 4-2 lead into the final 15 minutes, UNC fell to No. 20 Old Dominion 5-4 in overtime at Karen Shelton Stadium Friday. The Tar Heels had race out to a 2-0 lead in a dominant first quarter, one which saw UNC hold the Monarchs without […]
UNC Field Hockey Beats No. 2 Princeton After Penalty Shootout
Freshman Sofia Ferri scored in the fifth and final round of a penalty shootout to help UNC beat No. 2 Princeton 1-0 at Karen Shelton Stadium Sunday afternoon. SHOOTOUT DUB ✅ HOUSE PROTECTED ✅#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/3pwTU3NUba — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) September 6, 2026 The two teams had played to a scoreless draw after […]
UNC Field Hockey Throttles Penn for First Win of 2026 Season
UNC led 4-0 at halftime on its way to a 7-0 thrashing of visiting Penn at Karen Shelton Stadium Friday night as part of the ACC-Ivy League Conference Crossover. The win is Carolina’s first of the 2026 season. Home sweet shutout home 🏡#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/bQFxj7HqLf — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) September 4, 2026 The […]
This Week in UNC Sports: August 31-September 6, 2026
This series of posts will be made weekly on Chapelboro with a full schedule of UNC sports contests, both in Chapel Hill and elsewhere. Note that game times and broadcast information are subject to change due to inclement weather or other factors. The first week of September means that fall sports are well and truly […]
UNC Field Hockey Loses to No. 11 Iowa; Now 0-2 to Start 2026 Season
UNC allowed the tying and go-ahead goals in a span of 3:03 in the third quarter vs. No. 11 Iowa Sunday, and the Hawkeyes held that onto that lead to deal the Tar Heels a 3-2 loss. It’s Carolina’s second consecutive loss to open the 2026 season. The Tar Heels led 2-1 at halftime on […]
UNC Field Hockey Falls in Overtime vs. No. 14 Michigan in 2026 Season Opener
A Michigan goal less than five minutes into sudden-death overtime helped the No. 14 Wolverines upset No. 2 UNC 2-1 in the 2026 season opener in Winston-Salem Friday. This is the first time Carolina has dropped its opening game of the season since 2022. After the game – which was delayed by two hours due […]
Jason DeCaro, Reese Brantmeier, Ryleigh Heck Named 2026 Patterson Medal Winners
UNC announced the 2026 class of Patterson Medal winners Tuesday morning. The Patterson Medal, first awarded in 1924, is the school’s most prestigious honor for athletic excellence and career achievement. To receive the award, Tar Heel athletes must have competed in at least three seasons for UNC and have exhausted their collegiate eligibility. The 2026 […]
UNC Field Hockey Releases 2026 Regular Season Schedule
The UNC field hockey program has released its schedule for the 2026 regular season. It will be the program’s fourth year under the leadership of head coach Erin Matson. The moment you've all been waiting for 🥳 The 2026 Carolina Field Hockey schedule is here! pic.twitter.com/3m0maMAqSK — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) July 26, 2026 UNC […]
UNC Field Hockey Head Coach Erin Matson to Appear on New ABC Series
UNC field hockey head coach Erin Matson will be featured on the latest episode of the ABC series “The Champion’s Edge with Bonnie Bernstein.” The series, which premiered in May, “highlights women excelling in their professional fields and spotlights the lessons they have learned as athletes that drive their successes while featuring practical advice on […]
Check out the Full Schedule for UNC's ACC Network Takeover
The ACC Network will air a full day of UNC games from the 2025-26 academic year Wednesday, July 1. It’s part of a series of ACC Network Takeovers, which started June 24 and include all 18 member schools. UNC’s takeover includes wall-to-wall coverage from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The broadcast day gets underway with […]
›