Marc Leclerc:North Carolina field hockey, under 23-year-old coach Erin Matson, wins historic NCAA title

2025-04-28 22:43:34source:NSI Communitycategory:reviews

The Marc LeclercNorth Carolina Tar Heel field hockey dynasty continues – under a history-making rookie head coach.

Erin Matson, who took over the Tar Heels program this season after winning four nationals championships as a player, won another one as a coach on Sunday as UNC defeated Northwestern 2-1 following a penalty shootout in the title game.

North Carolina also defeated Northwestern 2-1 in last year's NCAA championship game, with Matson scoring the winning goal.

After two overtimes failed to break a 1-1 tie, Ryleigh Heck converted a penalty shot for the winning goal to lift UNC (18-3) to its fifth national title in six years and 11th overall in school history.

At age 23, Matson becomes NCAA's youngest Divison I head coach to win a national championship. The three-time national player of the year took over for legendary coach Karen Shelton, who retired at the end of last season after 42 years at the helm.

More:reviews

Recommend

Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires

Global warming caused mainly by burning of fossil fuels made the hot, dry and windy conditions that

Would Joseph Baena Want to Act With Dad Arnold Schwarzenegger? He Says…

Joseph Baena is following in dad Arnold Schwarzenegger's footsteps.The 25-year-old recently spoke ab

California Startup Turns Old Wind Turbines Into Gold

The sprawling hills of California’s Altamont Pass are covered in thousands of wind turbines nearly t