The defending national champion UNC field hockey team is ranked No. 2 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s preseason poll. Carolina sits behind only No. 1 Northwestern, which fell in penalty strokes to the Tar Heels in last season’s national championship game.

The Wildcats received 27 of a possible 48 first-place votes. Carolina received 17, while No. 3 Virginia and No. 4 Maryland each received two. Along with Virginia and UNC, No. 5 Duke, No. 7 Louisville, No. 10 Syracuse, No. 17 Boston College and No. 18 Wake Forest represent the ACC in the rankings. For a full look at the NFHCA poll, click here.

Carolina was also picked second in the ACC’s preseason poll, one point shy of first-place Virginia. Three Tar Heels earned preseason All-ACC honors: Katie Dixon, Sietske Brüning and reigning National Player of the Year Ryleigh Heck.

UNC will open the season against two teams featured in the rankings, facing No. 12 Michigan on Friday and No. 6 Iowa on Sunday in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in Ann Arbor, MI. The game against the Wolverines is scheduled for 6 p.m., while the game against the Hawkeyes is scheduled for 10:30 a.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.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Field Hockey Sweeps ACC-Big Ten Challenge to Open 2025 Season
No. 2 UNC beat both No. 7 Michigan and No. 15 Iowa to sweep the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in Iowa City, IA during Labor Day weekend. In the first game against the Wolverines Friday afternoon, goals from Ryleigh Heck and her sister Kara helped the Tar Heels to a 3-0 shutout victory. Ryleigh Heck, the […]
Chansky's Notebook: The Flying Dutch
Art Chansky breaks down the season outlook for the UNC field hockey team in Erin Matson's third year as head coach.
Chansky's Notebook: Let's Go, Ladies!
The UNC field hockey and women's soccer programs are set to be nationally competitive once again this fall.
UNC Field Hockey Announces 2025 Regular Season Schedule
The UNC field hockey program has announced its 2025 regular-season schedule. The Tar Heels are looking to reach at least the NCAA semifinals for the fourth consecutive season. Tell a friend to tell a friend, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘽𝘼𝘾𝙆! The 2025 schedule is here 📆 pic.twitter.com/LPFCFpGp6A — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) July 18, 2025 The […]
'We're Walking a Fine Line': UNC's Erin Matson Talks House Settlement, New AD and Upcoming Season
UNC field hockey head coach Erin Matson joined 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell for a wide-ranging conversation Monday. Matson discussed the effects of the House settlement on her program, the hiring of Steve Newmark athletic director-in-waiting and preparations for the 2025 season. Read Matson’s comments, which have been lightly edited for clarity, below, or click here […]
UNC Women's Sports Programs Win 2024-25 Capital One Cup
UNC has been named the winner of the 2024-25 Capital One Cup, awarded annually to the most successful women’s athletic program of the season. The winner is determined by accumulating points in a combination of NCAA championship wins and major poll finishes. Four women’s sports programs at UNC – field hockey, soccer, lacrosse and tennis […]
Erin Matson Named to Forbes' '30 Under 30 Sports' List for 2025
UNC field hockey head coach Erin Matson has been named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30 Sports” List for 2025, honoring young stars around the world who are “fearlessly leading sports into the future,” according to the magazine. “Honored to be alongside such inspirational barrier breakers,” Matson said on social media. “Proud to represent Carolina and […]
Saint Joseph's Upsets No. 1 UNC Field Hockey in NCAA Semifinals
Saint Joseph's snapped No. 1 UNC's 27-game winning streak and ended the Tar Heels' bid for a third straight national championship.
UNC Field Hockey Shuts Out Duke, Advances to 28th Final Four
Carolina cruised past No. 9 Duke in its final home game of the season on Sunday afternoon, shutting out the Blue Devils 3-0 in the NCAA quarterfinals to advance to next week’s Final Four in Ann Arbor, MI. Final Four here we come!!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/cycFgXBFdV — UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 17, 2024 Ryleigh […]
UNC Field Hockey Cruises Past Delaware in NCAA Tournament 1st Round
Carolina scored three goals in the opening quarter of Friday’s NCAA Tournament first-round game against Delaware at Karen Shelton Stadium, and the Tar Heels cruised to a 4-0 win to advance to Sunday’s national quarterfinals. Took care of business in round 1️⃣#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/8s9vvXHaEI — UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 15, 2024 Katie Dixon, […]
›