The Louisville Cardinals were the only team in the shortened season to trip up the UNC field hockey program. But on Sunday, with a conference title on the line, it looked like the Cardinals may best the Tar Heels again.

Down 2-0 goals in the second quarter, head coach Karen Shelton’s UNC squad stormed back to score four straight goals and ultimately won the ACC Championship 4-2. Star forward Erin Matson netted two goals, including the brace with one minute remaining, while sophomore back Madison Orobono scored the go-ahead goal just before the end of the third quarter.

UNC played the game as the second seed in the tournament and from the visitor’s bench, despite Sunday’s game being played at Karen Shelton Stadium. In October, Louisville beat Carolina 3-1, snapping the Heels’ remarkable 47-game win streak and taking the top spot in the conference’s standings.

Shelton, whose program has now won 23 ACC titles, congratulated and complimented Louisville’s performance following the game.

“They play with such composure and poise and that makes them a very difficult team to play against,” she said. “They dominated in the first half and we gave up a couple of goals but we didn’t crack. It was a tale of two halves – they had the better of the first and I think we had the better of the second.

“I’m thrilled that our kids were able to find a way to win,” Shelton added.

The tournament run caps off a history-making streak for Carolina, as they won games to earn Shelton’s 700th win as a head coach and another to make her the winningest coach in collegiate field hockey history.

Matson earned a familiar honor after the game, being named to the ACC All-Tournament Team for the third year in a row as well as the tournament MVP.

No NCAA tournament awaits UNC for now. The ACC was the only conference to hold field hockey matches this fall due to the coronavirus pandemic. At the moment, the NCAA plans to hold a nationwide tournament in the spring.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Field Hockey Beats Virginia to Win 9th Consecutive ACC Tournament Title
Dani Mendez scored two goals to haunt her former team and lead UNC to a 4-1 win against Virginia in the ACC Tournament title game in Louisville Friday. The win is Carolina’s ninth straight conference championship and 28th overall. It’s also the 300th ACC title overall for UNC programs. 𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐄𝐋𝐒𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐑 𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐒 […]
UNC Field Hockey Beats Duke, Advances to ACC Tournament Final
Three second-half goals powered UNC to a 5-2 win against Duke in the ACC Tournament semifinals in Louisville Thursday afternoon. The win was Carolina’s second against the Blue Devils in the last six days. Doesn't matter where we go, we 𝙤𝙬𝙣 Tobacco Road 🐏#GoHeels | #GDTBATH pic.twitter.com/D7D1jnIrXH — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 6, 2025 […]
UNC Field Hockey Beats Duke in Overtime to Advance to Final Four
Sanne Hak scored the game-winning goal off a penalty corner in sudden-victory overtime against Duke to send UNC through to the Final Four Sunday at Karen Shelton Stadium. The 2-1 win is Carolina’s third against the Blue Devils this season, two of which have come in overtime. THREE TIMES DOWNING THE DEVILS!! AND WE'RE HEADED […]
UNC Field Hockey Escapes Saint Joseph's in NCAA Tournament 1st Round
Despite a spirited effort from underdog Saint Joseph’s, UNC escaped with a 2-1 win in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Karen Shelton Stadium Friday afternoon. The Tar Heels are now through to Sunday’s second round, where they will await the winner of Iowa and Duke. Won the battle. More war to come!#GoHeels […]
UNC Field Hockey Earns No. 1 Overall Seed in 2025 NCAA Tournament
Carolina is once again the No. 1 team in the country entering the NCAA Tournament. The Tar Heels earned the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed Sunday night for the fourth consecutive year. Top seed. Not satisfied. The Heels host the NCAA First & Second Rounds once again. pic.twitter.com/Xer4W9IYtK — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 10, […]
UNC Men's Soccer Wins at Notre Dame in ACC Tournament 1st Round
Carolina opened the ACC Tournament with a bang Wednesday night, scoring a pair of first-half goals on its way to a 3-1 win at Notre Dame in the tournament’s first round. The Tar Heels, the No. 9 seed in the field, will now advance to the quarterfinals Sunday. Moving on 🚙 The Heels will play […]
UNC Field Hockey Beats Louisville in ACC Tournament Quarterfinals
UNC’s Isabel Boere scored a tiebreaking goal with 7:23 remaining in the fourth quarter to help the Tar Heels beat Louisville 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the ACC Field Hockey Tournament Tuesday. The Cardinals are hosting the tournament, making Tuesday’s contest a true road game for Carolina. Round one. Round won.#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/HCZ7aIkPTc — […]
UNC Sports: Field Hockey Beats No. 8 Duke in Overtime, Volleyball Upsets No. 7 SMU
On a frenzied Friday night in Chapel Hill, the UNC field hockey and volleyball teams each picked up thrilling ranked wins. At Karen Shelton Stadium, the top-ranked Tar Heels hosted No. 8 Duke in the regular-season finale for both teams. But the Blue Devils threatened the steal the thunder early, opening the scoring midway through […]
UNC Field Hockey Blows Out Richmond, Extends Winning Streak to 7 Games
A hat trick from Ryleigh Heck and a pair of goals from Dani Mendez helped Carolina crush visiting Richmond 6-1 at Karen Shelton Stadium Friday evening. The Tar Heels have now won seven consecutive games. Stomped the Spiders 🙅‍♀️#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/1mfcOj8dgh — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) October 24, 2025 Mendez scored both of her […]
UNC Field Hockey Overcomes Deficit, Scores in Final Minute to Beat No. 9 Syracuse
No. 2 UNC overcame a 3-1 deficit and scored the game-winning goal with just 19 seconds remaining to win at No. 9 Syracuse Friday afternoon. The Tar Heels have now won five consecutive games since their only loss of the season. Cardiac Carolina comes all the way back!! 🤯#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/QV8bNPeSKQ — Carolina […]
›