Field Hockey Beats Duke, 2-1, To Claim Share Of ACC Regular Season Title

Friday, October 30

Durham, N.C.

6 PM

North Carolina

(11-6, 6-2)

Duke

(12-4, 6-2)

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

Game Notes

October 30, 2026 | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: William Soulé

DURHAM, N.C. – A pair of goals from star forward Ryleigh Heck secured a 2-1 win for North Carolina field hockey over Duke on Friday night at Jack Katz Stadium. The victory clinched a share of the 2026 ACC regular season championship for UNC, along with the No. 1 seed in next week's ACC Tournament to be played at Karen Shelton Stadium.

The No. 10 Tar Heels (11-6, 6-2 ACC) finished the regular season tied atop the conference standings with Duke and Wake Forest, but a superior goal differential gave Carolina the top seed for the fifth straight season.

The victory over their crosstown rivals extended the Heels' winning streak in the series to 16 consecutive games. UNC last lost to Duke in 2017, the final game between the two before the arrival of Erin Matson. Matson, both as a player and coach, has never lost to the Blue Devils.

Heck was the star for the Tar Heels, scoring both goals to carry her team across the finish line. The veteran has found the back of the net seven times in nine games against Duke.

Both of her strikes on Friday night came in similar fashion. Twice she picked the ball up at the top of the circle, used her speed and stick skill to create separation, and finished upper net.

Her first came in the second quarter to put the Heels in front and her second in the third quarter was the eventual game winner. In 10 games played this season, she has 11 goals. Her 1.1 goals-per-game average is the best in the ACC.

The Blue Devils ramped up the pressure in the second half as they fought to even the score, eventually getting a goal off a deflection from Lily Soldan. Other than that counter attack, Duke was denied their equalizer by a great night in the cage from Carolina's goalkeeper Tessa Shahbo. The Harvard transfer made four crucial saves and picked up the win in just her third start of the season.

The Tar Heels will now turn the page to the 2026 ACC Tournament where they will fight to win their 10^th championship in a row. They will have the added advantage of being this year's host, with all seven games set to be played at Karen Shelton Stadium. With the No. 1 seed, UNC will kick off the festivities on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. ET against the No. 8 seed Stanford.