UNC field hockey named ACC preseason No. 1

The University of North Carolina field hockey team enters the 2026 season as the ACC preseason number one following the ACC preseason coaches poll. Forward Charly Bruder was selected as the team's sole representative for the All-ACC preseason honors.

Head coach Erin Matson, who has lost only two true road games since taking over the program in 2023, will lead a roster bolstered by a highly-ranked recruiting class. The team features a freshman class ranked number two by MAX Field Hockey, alongside a transfer player intended to provide additional depth as the Tar Heels pursue ACC and NCAA championships.

The upcoming regular season includes 17 games, nearly half of which will be played away from Chapel Hill. This includes a five-game western road trip to face Stanford and Cal.