UNC sophomore forward Ryleigh Heck was named the winner of the 2024 Honda Sport Award for field hockey on Tuesday. She is the sixth Tar Heel to win the award, after Leslie Lyness (1989), Cindy Werley (1996 and 1997), Rachel Dawson (2007), Ashley Hoffman (2018) and Heck’s head coach, Erin Matson (2019, 2020 and 2022).

“Like any award, this is a team award,” said Matson. “But Ryleigh’s commitment, drive, execution in crucial moments, and so much more have given her a spot on a very elite list. We are all so proud of Ryleigh and how she represents our program and our university.”

Heck led Carolina in scoring this season with 34 points (13 goals, eight assists). She was named first team All-ACC, ACC Tournament MVP and scored the winning penalty stroke in a shootout against Northwestern in the national championship game. The National Field Hockey Coaches Association named Heck its Division 1 National Player of the Year.

“I would like to acknowledge my teammates, coaches, and everyone in the field hockey community who supported me,” Heck said. “I want to give a big thank you to Erin, Coach [Karen] Shelton, all the coaching staff, my parents and teammates who played a huge role in my journey. Their guidance and encouragement helped me get here. This award is not just mine; it’s a result of everyone’s hard work in our field hockey program.”

As a Honda Sport Award winner, Heck is now a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the Honda Cup, which will be presented on June 24 in New York City.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic 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's Erin Matson Wins Honda Sport Award for 3rd Time
Erin Matson, who won four national championships in five seasons with the UNC field hockey program, was named as the winner of the Honda Sport Award for Field Hockey on Tuesday. It’s the third time in her career Matson has won the award, making her just the second player ever to accomplish this. The first […]
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 […]
UNC Sports: Volleyball, Field Hockey Win; Women's Soccer Falls at Duke
Plenty of UNC Olympic sports teams were in action Sunday, as the field hockey and volleyball teams picked up big wins while the women’s soccer team lost at Duke. In volleyball, the Tar Heels traveled down to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech and came away with their first win against the Yellow Jackets since 2017. […]
UNC Field Hockey Wins at No. 2 Virginia, Deals Cavaliers First Loss
A fourth-quarter goal from Charly Bruder broke a scoreless tie in Charlottesville and helped Carolina beat No. 2 Virginia 1-0, sending the Cavaliers to their first loss of the season. Hoo Dat Think They Can Beat the Heels? #GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/9oprAe4VxR — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) October 10, 2025 “Really pleased,” said head coach […]
UNC Field Hockey, Women's Soccer Each Earn Sunday Wins
The UNC field hockey and women’s soccer teams were both in action Sunday, and both sides earned wins: field hockey won at Old Dominion, and women’s soccer defeated Pitt at Dorrance Field. In Norfolk, Carolina controlled possession against the Monarchs and took an early lead thanks to a first-quarter goal from Isabel Boere. Kara Heck […]
Late Rally Helps UNC Field Hockey Avoid Second Straight Loss at Boston College
UNC rallied from a 1-0 deficit in the last nine minutes of play at Boston College Sunday, scoring twice late to steal a 2-1 win and avoid its second straight loss of the season. Battled together. Won together. Heels on top!#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/XUi0CQIeNz — Carolina Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) September 28, 2025 UNC entered the […]
UNC Field Hockey Drops First Game of 2025 Season at No. 13 Wake Forest
A double-overtime winner from No. 13 Wake Forest helped the Demon Deacons upset UNC 2-1 in Winston-Salem Friday evening. It’s the Tar Heels’ first loss this season and second loss in ACC play in three seasons under head coach Erin Matson. The game was a defensive struggle throughout, entering the fourth quarter in a scoreless […]
UNC Field Hockey Cruises Past Cal and Stanford to Open ACC Play
Carolina defeated both Cal and Stanford at Karen Shelton Stadium during the weekend to continue its perfect start to the 2025 season. The two games were the first ACC contests of the season for the Tar Heels. Against Cal Friday evening, Ryleigh Heck paced the UNC offense by assisting Charly Bruder for the Tar Heels’ […]
UNC Field Hockey Beats App State and Liberty in First Home Games of 2025
Carolina opened its 2025 home season at Karen Shelton Stadium with wins against Appalachian State and Liberty during the weekend. On Friday against the Mountaineers, No. 2 UNC took the lead inside of a minute and led 2-0 after the first quarter thanks to goals from Ryleigh Heck and Charly Bruder. Bruder struck again in […]
UNC Field Hockey Beats Penn, No. 10 Princeton in Ivy League Weekend
Carolina beat both Penn and No. 10 Princeton as part of the ACC-Ivy League Conference Crossover in New Jersey during the weekend. In the first game against Penn Friday afternoon, five different Tar Heels accounted for six total goals in a dominant offensive display. UNC led 2-0 inside of eight minutes played, scored two goals […]
›