Cassie Sumfest (12) celebrates with Erin Matson (1) after the Tar Heels score a goal as UNC faces off against Michigan in the national championship on Sunday, May 9 at Karen Shelton Stadium. (Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)

A total of seven UNC field hockey players were named to the All-South Region teams on Tuesday, after guiding the Tar Heels to their third consecutive national championship last month.

The teams were selected by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

Forwards Erin Matson and Meredith Sholder joined midfielder Eva Smolenaars and goalie Amanda Hendry as First Team choices, while forward Bryn Boylan and backs Cassie Sumfest and Courtnie Williamson earned spots on the Second Team.

Both the First and Second Teams consist of 16 players in total.

Each of the seven players was a starter for a Tar Heel team which went 19-1 this season and closed the year on an 18-game winning streak.

Matson was the unquestioned star of the team once again, leading the way in scoring with a whopping 29 goals to go with nine assists. She was recently named a finalist for the Honda Award in field hockey, which recognizes the top player in the country.

Sholder ended the year with three goals and three assists, while Smolenaars added five goals and one assist. In goal, Hendry held opponents to an average of just 1.31 goals per game.

Each of UNC’s four First Team selections were also named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team following the Tar Heels’ title victory over Michigan, with Matson earning MVP honors once again after scoring the overtime winner.

As far as the Second Team selections go, Boylan’s six goals included a pair of overtime game-winners of her own against Duke and Wake Forest late in the season. Sumfest added six goals from her position on the back line, and joined Williamson in providing stout defense in front of Hendry all season long.

First Team All-Region selections become eligible for All-American recognition, which will be announced on June 15.

 

 

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