Four UNC Field Hockey Players Named All-Americans

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association revealed its All-American teams for 2020 on Wednesday, with four Tar Heels making the cut.

Senior goalie Amanda Hendry and junior forward Erin Matson were each First Team selections, while senior midfielder Eva Smolenaars and junior midfielder Meredith Sholder earned spots on the Second Team and Third team respectively.

UNC’s four selections are the most the program has had in a single year since 2014.

The Tar Heels are coming off their third consecutive NCAA championship after a thrilling overtime win in the title game against Michigan — where Matson delivered the game-winner.

Matson also becomes just the seventh Tar Heel to ever become a three-time All-American. She led the team in scoring with 29 goals and nine assists over 20 games, earning the Honda Sport Award as the nation’s top player for the second consecutive season.

Hendry earned First Team All-American honors for the first time in her illustrious career, becoming the 41st different Tar Heel player to ever accomplish the feat. She started all 20 games and posted a 1.31 goals against average — while also being named to both the NCAA and ACC All-Tournament teams.

Smolenaars racked up five goals and dished out one assist as the heart of the Tar Heel midfield, and was a First Team All-ACC selection as well.

Sholder — a Second Team All-ACC choice — provided three goals and three assists this season.

All four All-American selections have been on the team over the last three years, a period in which UNC has won three straight NCAA titles and posted an incredible record of 65-1.

Head coach Karen Shelton and her staff have also won three straight NFHCA Division I Coaching Staff of the Year awards as well.

For the full list of NFHCA 2020 Division I All-Americans, click here.

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