No. 1 UNC field hockey picked up another top-ten win on Friday, using three first-half goals to beat No. 7 Virginia and secure their spot atop the conference standings.

Two goals from Carolina’s leading scorer Erin Matson helped extend Carolina’s lead to 3-1, with her second coming from the star senior nabbing the ball away from Virginia’s goalkeeper to close the opening half.

“I thought it was an outstanding game by two great teams,” UNC head coach Karen Shelton said after the home win. “It had a little bit of everything – they scored on a corner option, we scored on a corner option, both teams played terrific defense, passed the ball. I thought it was probably the most strategic and tactical game we’ve played all year.”

The Tar Heels’ first goal was a result of the execution of such strategy, as UNC freshman Sietske Brüning rifled a shot past the goalkeeper to finish off a perfect penalty corner. Their second was generated a few minutes later by a long pass from senior Romea Riccardo to Matson near the goal. Matson then earned a penalty and converted the stroke, bringing her penalty efforts up to 3-for-3 and goal total to 19 on the season.

Virginia scored to make it 2-1 in the first half, with a deflection from Laura Janssen off a penalty corner shot making it into UNC’s net. But Matson’s second goal extended Carolina’s lead and neither team were able to break through in the second half despite several shots on goal.

Not only did Shelton say she was pleased with the team’s execution and immediate result, but that she believes it will significantly help the team’s postseason efforts.

“I’m proud of our Heels – today was significant as we clinched the top seed in the ACC Tournament, which means we get a bye,” the Carolina head coach said. “It’s always a goal going into the season to earn that bye.”

UNC field hockey (13-0) will close its regular season home schedule with another top-ten match. The Tar Heels will host No. 9 Saint Joseph’s on Sunday at 2 p.m., which will also be Senior Day for Matson, Riccardo and five other upperclassmen. Carolina will then travel to Durham for a game against Duke on October 29 before the ACC Tournament begins.

 

Photo via Carolina Athletics Communications.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Field Hockey Advances to ACC Tournament Finals With 5-1 Blowout over Virginia
The historic season marched on for the top-ranked UNC field hockey team on Friday afternoon in Chapel Hill, as the Tar Heels defeated the Virginia Cavaliers 5-1 in the ACC Tournament Semifinals. With the win, UNC improves to 18-0 this season and appears like it has no intentions of slowing down entering Sunday’s championship game […]
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 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 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 […]
›