No. 23 UNC field hockey is back to its winning ways after sweeping its California trip this weekend — which also marked the return of several key contributors to the field.

Ahead of Friday’s game against Stanford, an Indiana judge in Monroe County granted a stay for several college athletes challenging their eligibility under the NCAA’s new ‘five in five’ rules. Among them are UNC’s Ryleigh Heck, Dani Mendez and Sietske Brüning who each joined UNC in the fall of 2022 and joined to fight for a fifth year, which is now being granted to college athletes in the Class of 2027 onward. The ruling made each eligible and they traveled with the team to the west coast.

“This team, my coaching staff and I are focused on working every day to put our best product on the field,” UNC field hockey head coach Erin Matson said in a statement on Friday. “We are very proud of the growth this group has shown and look forward to watching them develop to their full potential. Obviously, we are encouraged by the most recent ruling for Dani, Ryleigh and Sietske who have been with us all season, selflessly investing in this program. We will continue working with our administration to explore the ways they can contribute to this year’s team.”

With no immediate response in court to suspend the judge’s ruling, each of the trio saw the field against Stanford and contributed in the Tar Heels’ rout of the Cardinal, 8-1. UNC’s pressure on the home team’s cage resulted in 28 total shots, 19 of which were on target, and six different players getting onto the score sheet. Heck was among them, scoring the sixth and seventh goals of the game — picking up where she left off after the most productive season of her career as a senior in 2025.

Heck also netted the opening goal of Sunday’s 4-0 win over No. 17 Cal, striking in the eighth minute of the match. Brüning scored her first goal of the campaign off a corner attempt in the second half, following goals from sophomore Reese Anetsberger and freshman Sofia Ferri. But the Tar Heels’ defense was the story of the game, as they held Cal without a shot on goal. It marked the first game since Oct. 10, 2025 vs. Louisville since UNC field hockey achieved that feat and was the third shut-out of the season.

“Overall throughout the weekend we faced some really good teams, really good competition and we’re proud of our Heels for keeping their heads down and continuing to grow,” Matson said in a post-game video shared by the team. “I have to call out our team defense today. It has been a goal of ours…and I think we did a really good job on that end this weekend. And I think our attack…things are connecting, and we’re just going to keep that rolling.”

 

The wins moved UNC’s record above .500 for the first time this fall (5-4) and moves their ACC record to 2-1. The pair of games in California are the first of five consecutive games on the road for the team, with next coming up on Friday, October 2, at No. 12 Louisville.

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/

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