The North Carolina Tar Heels are the 2023 NCAA Division I women’s field hockey champions, after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats 2-1 in a penalty shootout on Saturday, Nov. 19, at Karen Shelton Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The game was tied 1-1 after regulation and two overtime periods, forcing the teams to settle the score in a dramatic shootout.
The Tar Heels, who were the top seed and the hosts of the tournament, claimed their 11th national title in program history, tying the record held by Old Dominion. They also won their fifth championship in the last six years, and their third in a row under head coach Erin Matson, who is believed to be the youngest college head coach to win a national title at only 22 years old.
The game remained tied at 1-1 until the end of regulation, sending it to overtime. A second overtime period followed, but neither team could score. The game went to a shootout. The shootout was tied at 2-2, forcing a sudden death round. The Tar Heels went first and scored. The Wildcats missed the shot ending the game. Matson praised her team’s resilience and determination, and thanked the fans for their support. She also congratulated the Wildcats for their excellent season and their sportsmanship.
Erin Matson is a remarkable young woman who has achieved great success in the sport of field hockey, both as a player and as a coach. She is the current head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels field hockey team, and the youngest college head coach to win a national championship, at the age of 23. She is also a former field hockey player who won four NCAA Championships as a Tar Heel, and played for the U.S. Women’s National Team since she was 17.
Matson started playing field hockey in 2006, and graduated from Unionville High School in 2018. She committed to play collegiate field hockey at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, under head coach Karen Shelton. She had a stellar career at UNC, winning the Honda Sports Award three times, being recognized as the nation’s top collegiate field hockey player in 2019, 2020, and 2022. She also won four NCAA Championships (2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022) and five ACC titles in her five seasons in Chapel Hill. She was named the ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year every season she played at Carolina.
Matson also represented the United States in international competitions, such as the Pan American Cup and the Pan American Games, where she won medals. She was one of only two players to be selected in the U.S. Women’s National Team at age 16.
Matson is an inspiration to many young athletes, especially women, who aspire to pursue their passion and excel in their chosen field. She is a role model for leadership, excellence, and sportsmanship. She is one of the most decorated athletes in North Carolina Tar Heels history, and one of the most influential figures in the field hockey world.
Read more about the game and Matson’s remarkable career. Erin Matson, 23, becomes youngest college head coach to win a national championship (msn.com)
The Sport Lady has been a lifelong sports enthusiast. She believes that sports have the power to unite people, create common bonds, and foster shared experiences. As a wife and mother of sports lovers, she is passionate about her favorite teams and cherishes every opportunity to watch them play. For her, every day is game day!