University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
November 2, 2026 | Field Hockey
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – North Carolina field hockey midfielder Sofia Ferri has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference's Freshman of the Year, it was announced on Monday afternoon. She was also joined by teammates Charly Bruder and Ryleigh Heck as All-ACC honorees
Ferri is the 11th different Tar Heel to earn the prestigious distinction. Bruder in 2023 and Heck in 2022 were the two most recent Carolina players to win the award. Bruder led the way on the All-ACC teams by earning first team honors while Ferri and Heck made the second team.
Ferri has been fantastic for the Tar Heels this season in the defensive midfielder role, starting all 17 games and contributing on both ends of the field. The rookie has scored six goals and provided two assists. The highlight of her season came in Carolina's win over No. 2 Princeton when she scored the winner in the penalty shootout.
It is the third straight first team nod for Bruder and fourth career All-ACC award. The senior forward has scored 14 goals this season, sitting just one behind the conference lead.
The veteran Heck earned her fifth All-ACC honor, the previous four being first-team selections, to become the second five-time All-ACC winner in program history alongside her head coach Erin Matson. She has scored 11 goals already despite a shortened season, good for the fifth most in the conference and is by far the best goals-per-game rate.
Ferri is the 11th different Tar Heel to earn the prestigious distinction. Bruder in 2023 and Heck in 2022 were the two most recent Carolina players to win the award. Bruder led the way on the All-ACC teams by earning first team honors while Ferri and Heck made the second team.
Ferri has been fantastic for the Tar Heels this season in the defensive midfielder role, starting all 17 games and contributing on both ends of the field. The rookie has scored six goals and provided two assists. The highlight of her season came in Carolina's win over No. 2 Princeton when she scored the winner in the penalty shootout.
It is the third straight first team nod for Bruder and fourth career All-ACC award. The senior forward has scored 14 goals this season, sitting just one behind the conference lead.
The veteran Heck earned her fifth All-ACC honor, the previous four being first-team selections, to become the second five-time All-ACC winner in program history alongside her head coach Erin Matson. She has scored 11 goals already despite a shortened season, good for the fifth most in the conference and is by far the best goals-per-game rate.
Players Mentioned
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