Field Hockey Runs Out Of Time In ACC Opener, Loses To No. 9 Virginia, 2-1

Sunday, September 20

Chapel Hill

12 PM

North Carolina

(3-4, 0-1)

Virginia

(5-2, 1-1)

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

Game Notes

Huddle
University of North Carolina Field Hockey v VA; Virginia
Karen Shelton Stadium
Chapel Hill, NC
Friday, September 20, 2026

Photo by: CONNOR RUESCH

Field Hockey Runs Out Of Time In ACC Opener, Loses To No. 9 Virginia, 2-1

September 20, 2026 | Field Hockey

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Nathan Kime

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - No. 11 North Carolina field hockey fell to No. 9 Virginia, 2-1, in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener on Sunday afternoon at Karen Shelton Stadium.

The Tar Heels (3-4, 0-1 ACC) had to play from behind after giving up an early goal off a penalty corner within the first minute of the game. Five minutes later the UNC answered when Coco Courtright found captain Charly Bruder for a quick strike to equalize.

Carolina posted a defensive stand in the first half, fighting off 10 of 12 Cavalier shots. Just before halftime, the Heels were forced to defend five penalty corners in a row, blocking four but allowing the fifth one into the goal as time ran out the clock, making it 2-1 in favor of Virginia.

Continuing that defensive effort, Carolina came out in the second half and shut down the Hoos' offense. UNC did not allow UVA to get a shot off in the third quarter and only allowed four in the fourth. Three of the shots were turned away by Carolina defenders with no keeper on the field, highlighted by defensive saves by Sofia Ferri and Morgan O'Donnell.

Early in the third quarter Carolina looked to capitalize off of a penalty corner when Reese Anetsberger shot what would have been her first season goal, but after review it was disallowed due to a foul in the circle.

In the fourth quarter, the Tar Heels applied offensive pressure when head coach Erin Matson emptied the net with a little over seven minutes to go in the match. UNC kept the ball in Virginia territory, getting off 4 shots and 2 penalty corners, but were unable to capitalize.

The Tar Heels will continue conference play next weekend as they make their west coast trip to California to face off against Stanford on Friday, Sept. 25 and Cal on Sunday, Sept. 27 in what will be the first two of a five-game road trip.