Field Hockey Defeats Duke, 2-1, To Advance To Final Four

Sunday, November 16

1 PM

North Carolina

(21-1)

Duke

(13-8)

Duke

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

November 16, 2025 | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Sanne Hak scored the game-winning goal just over one minute into sudden victory overtime to lift North Carolina field hockey to a 2-1 victory over rival Duke, earning the Tar Heels their 29th trip to the NCAA Final Four.

The Tar Heels (21-1) downed the Blue Devils for the third time in 16 days thanks to Hak's overtime heroics. It secures an NCAA-best 29^th trip to the championship round for head coach Erin Matson's crew, who have been all three years of her tenure.

"It was a great game of hockey, but it also tested these guys and we're getting the most out of them at the right time," Matson said in the post-game press conference. "Definitely excited to head to Durham and I don't think those words have ever come out of my mouth."

Matson continued her reign of terror against Duke, improving her combined record as a player and a coach to 15-0. UNC now owns an 89-12 all-time tally in the rivalry.

Carolina set the tone early, taking quick control of the game and dominating possession. The first quarter saw them outshoot Duke 9-0 with a 15-3 margin at the half.

It took a persistent effort to find their breakthrough, with multiple goals being disallowed for both teams following replay review. UNC would eventually get on the board first through the veteran Kara Heck.

In the 24^th minute of the game, the younger sister Ryleigh Heck attacked the endline before slipping the ball to a waiting Charly Bruder. Bruder made space to take a shot that found the stick of Kara Heck who redirected it in for the Heels' opener. The seventh goal of the season for the Rutgers transfer couldn't have come at a better time.

An early fourth quarter goal off a rebound tied the game for Duke and it sent the rivals to overtime for the second time in 2025. The Heels now hold a 10-2 historical advantage in the series in games that need extra time.
Not wanting to let this game drag out, Sanne Hak and Ryleigh Heck combined down the right wing as they had all afternoon to get into a dangerous position and earn UNC a penalty corner. The Heels' 14^th corner routine of the day produced no fruit, but the 15^th put the Blue Devils to bed.

Dani Mendez inserted to Heck who feinted left before laying the ball off to fellow captain Sietske Brüning who sent a perfect two-touch pass to Sanne Hak at the back post. It was only going to be a goal from there for the junior midfielder, her first career overtime score.

It was an incredible moment for the pair of Dutch internationals, both of whom play somewhat unsung roles for this UNC squad. The captain Brüning has done everything short of goalkeeping this season, taking on a more defensive role in her final collegiate run as her team required.

Hak is an underappreciated attacking threat on a team full of dangerous scorers. Her runs on the right wing and her link up play with Heck were the most potent part of Carolina's attack on the day.

Additionally, this program would not be headed to it's 29^th final four were it not for the defensive efforts of Grace Pottebaum and company in the UNC back line. Holding the No. 8 team in the country to just seven shots is no easy task and they were up to the challenge.

The Tar Heels' will welcome Northwestern, Harvard, and Princeton to the triangle next weekend for the 2025 NCAA DI Field Hockey championship round. UNC will face old foe Northwestern in the national semifinal on Friday, Nov. 21 at 2:30 p.m. ET at Duke's place, Jack Katz Stadium, in Durham.