UNC sophomore field hockey star Erin Matson was recognized last week as the winner of the 2019-20 Mary Garber Award, which honors the ACC Female Athlete of the Year.

Matson is the second straight Tar Heel field hockey standout to win the award, following Ashley Hoffman–who helped lead UNC to its first of two straight undefeated seasons and NCAA Championships.

She also represents the ninth different UNC athlete to claim this award. Besides Matson and Hoffman, all of the other Tar Heels to earn the honor have come from the women’s soccer program. This includes two-time winner Mia Hamm (1993, 1994).

Matson led the country in goals and points per game this past season, while also making her second consecutive First Team All-American team.

“This is an incredible honor for Erin, and also really special for our program to have back-to-back winners,” UNC head coach Karen Shelton said. “It’s fitting that she’s the first sophomore ever to win this award – she displays so much maturity on a daily basis. She such a dynamic, explosive and creative player and we’re thrilled she’s a Tar Heel.”

 

 

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Photo via Dakota Moyer

 

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