Goals From Barbacci And Bruder Lead Field Hockey To 2-1 Win Over Syracuse

Sunday, October 18

Chapel Hill

2 PM

North Carolina

(9-5, 5-1)

Syracuse

(7-5, 2-3)

Team	1	2	3	4	Final F
Syracuse	0	0	0	1	1
North Carolina	0	1	0	1	2

Game Notes

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Goals From Barbacci And Bruder Lead Field Hockey To 2-1 Win Over Syracuse

October 18, 2026 | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: William Soulé

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Goals in the closing minutes of each half powered No. 10 North Carolina to a 2-1 win over No. 13 Syracuse on Sunday afternoon at Karen Shelton Stadium.

The Tar Heels (9-5, 5-1 ACC) capped a perfect home weekend by adding another Atlantic Coast Conference victory to their tally. After starting the season 3-4, UNC has won six of its last seven down the stretch to put itself in a strong position for postseason play.

Sunday's game against the Orange was tight from start to finish. Carolina ended the game with only a four-shot advantage, 10-6, while the two teams tied in penalty corner opportunities with four apiece.

The difference came in the goals from Ella Barbacci and Charly Bruder. With their Senior Day looming next Friday, the two veterans delivered for the Tar Heels in a big way.

First it was Barbacci who opened the scoring with five minutes remaining in the first half. A brilliant long ball from Jenna Narleski dissected the Orange defense and found Barbacci all alone with Syracuse keeper Jessie Eiselin. From there the forward did well to sneak her shot past the oncoming Eiselin for her fifth goal of the season.

Carolina ramped up its offense in the second half, logging seven of its 10 shots on the day, but it was Syracuse who got the first score after the break. A corner routine gave the Orange's Jess Liddell an equalizing goal.

Then it was UNC's turn with a corner. With about five minutes left in the game, Bruder wound up her signature smash that would wind up deflecting off a Syracuse stick into the back of the net.

It was the penultimate regular-season home game for the Tar Heels, who will be back in Karen Shelton Stadium next Friday night for Senior Day against Wake Forest. The team will honor Barbacci, Bruder, Caroline Golden, Hope Haynes and Tessa Shahbo.