Field Hockey Loses 3-2 To Iowa To Wrap ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Sunday, August 30

Winston-Salem, NC

11 AM

North Carolina

(0-2)

Iowa

(2-0)

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

August 30, 2026 | Field Hockey

Box Score

By: William Soulé

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – An improved offensive attack was not enough to see No. 2 Carolina field hockey to victory on Sunday against No. 11 Iowa, dropping their second game of the young season 3-2.

The Tar Heels (0-2) leave their opening weekend of the year without a win for the first time since 2021. They took the lead on two different occasions in the first half, but two third quarter goals for the Hawkeyes just three minutes apart put the Big Ten outfit ahead for good.

This young Tar Heel squad improved significantly from a slow day on the attack on Friday. They outshot Iowa 25 to 10 in the game, producing 12 shots in the second quarter alone, but nine saves from Iowa's Abby Johnson kept the Heels at bay.

"We are proud of this group for the improvements they keep making with still being completely, obviously unsatisfied," said Carolina head coach Erin Matson after the game. "It was an eye-opening weekend for us on what we need to do in order to get to where we want to go at the end of the season.

Carolina opened the scoring in the first quarter through Sofia Ferri, who picked up a loose ball at the top of the circle and backhanded a sharp shot through the keeper's legs for her first career goal. The freshman came in highly touted as a top-10 recruit in the class and has started both games so far.

Early in the second quarter Iowa scored to tie the game at one apiece, but the Heels responded quickly. Ferri and Reese Anetsberger combined to drive through the Hawkeyes defense where they found Charly Bruder who took a shot that found Molly Catchpole wide open at the back post.

The goal was the first for Catchpole since Oct. 13, 2024 against App State two seasons ago. The veteran is one of two girls on the team who played alongside Matson.

After being held without a penalty corner on Friday, Carolina earned seven on Sunday afternoon. Five of them came in the second. The Heels held a 2-1 advantage at the break before Iowa pulled back ahead with two goals in the third quarter.

The Tar Heels will return to Chapel Hill looking for a bounce back on friendly turf with their home opener on Friday, Sept. 4 against Penn at 6 p.m. ET.