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

2025-05-03 06:16:14source:Databec Exchangecategory:reviews

The TrendPulseNorth 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

Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say

Pilots at Southwest Airlines can sock away more for retirement, thanks to a new retirement plan bene

In 'You Hurt My Feelings,' the stakes are low but deeply relatable

You Hurt My Feelings is the latest film from the writer and director Nicole Holofcener. It stars Jul

Nation's first 'drag laureate' kicks off Pride in San Francisco

Getting D'Arcy Drollinger ready for her first official appearance as San Francisco drag laureate was