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 to inclement weather in the area – went to halftime in a scoreless tie, Michigan finally broke through after being awarded a penalty stroke late in the third quarter. After the Wolverines converted the chance, UNC trailed 1-0 entering the final 15 minutes. Carolina found its breakthrough early in the fourth quarter, as Charly Bruder tapped home a point-blank chance after Coco Courtright had made a long run toward the Michigan cage.

In the overtime period, Michigan made good on its first chance as a long bouncing shot from the Wolverines’ Sofia Ghanbari found its way through multiple players and into the back of the Carolina cage, sealing UNC’s 2-1 loss. The Tar Heels have now dropped two consecutive games dating back to the end of the 2025 season, and both losses came in overtime.

UNC will be back in action when it faces No. 11 Iowa in the second game of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in Winston-Salem Sunday at 11 a.m.

 

Featured image via UNC Field Hockey on Twitter

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