University of North Carolina Athletics
Wednesday, November 4
Chapel Hill
North Carolina
(12-6, 6-2)
2
vs
3
Syracuse
(10-6, 4-4)
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| North Carolina | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
November 4, 2026 | Field Hockey
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina field hockey lost 3-2 to Syracuse in the semifinal round of the 2026 ACC Championship on Wednesday afternoon in Karen Shelton Stadium.
The top-seeded Tar Heels (12-7, 6-2 ACC) outshot the No. 4 seed Orange 22-5, but could not find a go-ahead goal in regulation or overtime and the game went to a shootout. Syracuse made the most of the opportunity, scoring three of their four attempts to take the win. Ryleigh Heck scored the first try of the shootout, but Carolina missed their next three.
The loss brings an end to a nine-year run of dominance for North Carolina, who had won the tournament title in nine consecutive seasons starting in 2017. It will conclude tied with the program's nine-year streak from 1983-1991 as the longest in conference history.
Head coach Erin Matson had previously been unbeaten in conference tournament play as both a player and coach. Her record now stands at 21-1.
The offense came in a second quarter flurry, as both teams scored twice in the period. Syracuse kicked things off with a rebound goal from Hattie Madden. Carolina responded two minutes later on a penalty corner routine that saw Jenna Narleski get the crucial touch over the line.
Syracuse again took the lead, this time through Aubrey Turner. UNC again hit back quickly as Reese Anetsberger found Charly Bruder in the circle in transition. The senior captain finished in exceptional fashion, flashing the ball through the legs of the Orange goalkeeper.
The second half was dominated by Carolina, who outshot the Orange 8-0 after the break. Four of Syracuse's five shots came in that second quarter, getting their fifth in overtime.
All of that pressure went without a breakthrough. UNC's best chance came with less than three minutes to go in the fourth, as Bruder earned a penalty stroke for the hosts. Heck stepped up to take but shot wide, her first miss from the spot since 2023 after two successful attempts earlier this season.
The Tar Heels will learn their fate for the upcoming NCAA Field Hockey Championship on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 10 p.m. ET. The selection show will be streamed live on NCAA.com.
The top-seeded Tar Heels (12-7, 6-2 ACC) outshot the No. 4 seed Orange 22-5, but could not find a go-ahead goal in regulation or overtime and the game went to a shootout. Syracuse made the most of the opportunity, scoring three of their four attempts to take the win. Ryleigh Heck scored the first try of the shootout, but Carolina missed their next three.
The loss brings an end to a nine-year run of dominance for North Carolina, who had won the tournament title in nine consecutive seasons starting in 2017. It will conclude tied with the program's nine-year streak from 1983-1991 as the longest in conference history.
Head coach Erin Matson had previously been unbeaten in conference tournament play as both a player and coach. Her record now stands at 21-1.
The offense came in a second quarter flurry, as both teams scored twice in the period. Syracuse kicked things off with a rebound goal from Hattie Madden. Carolina responded two minutes later on a penalty corner routine that saw Jenna Narleski get the crucial touch over the line.
Syracuse again took the lead, this time through Aubrey Turner. UNC again hit back quickly as Reese Anetsberger found Charly Bruder in the circle in transition. The senior captain finished in exceptional fashion, flashing the ball through the legs of the Orange goalkeeper.
The second half was dominated by Carolina, who outshot the Orange 8-0 after the break. Four of Syracuse's five shots came in that second quarter, getting their fifth in overtime.
All of that pressure went without a breakthrough. UNC's best chance came with less than three minutes to go in the fourth, as Bruder earned a penalty stroke for the hosts. Heck stepped up to take but shot wide, her first miss from the spot since 2023 after two successful attempts earlier this season.
The Tar Heels will learn their fate for the upcoming NCAA Field Hockey Championship on Sunday, Nov. 4 at 10 p.m. ET. The selection show will be streamed live on NCAA.com.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
F
/ Field Hockey
M
/ Field HockeyTeam Stats
CUSE
UNC
Goals
2
2
Shots
5
22
Shots on Goal
3
12
Saves
8
0
Corners
2
8
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
0
Scoring Plays
Hattie Madden (7)
GOAL by Syracuse Hattie Madden (FIRST GOAL), goal number 7 for season.
19:37
Jenna Narleski (1)
Assisted By: Sofia Ferri
GOAL by North Carolina Jenna Narleski, Assist by Sofia Ferri, goal number 1 for season.
21:30
Aubrey Turner (10)
GOAL by Syracuse Aubrey Turner, goal number 10 for season.
24:28
Charly Bruder (16)
Assisted By: Reese Anetsberger
GOAL by North Carolina Charly Bruder, Assist by Reese Anetsberger, goal number 16 for season.
29:15
Game Leaders
Shots
11
SOG
8
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
3
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Thursday, November 05
Wednesday, November 04
Tuesday, November 03
Tuesday, November 03