University of North Carolina Athletics
Ferri & Skubisz Sweep ACC Player Of The Week Awards
September 8, 2026 | Field Hockey
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After leading their team to a two-win weekend, Carolina field hockey stars Sofia Ferri and Merritt Skubisz claimed both of the Atlantic Coast Conference's Player of the Week honors.
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The underclassman duo played massive roles in helping the Tar Heels to a 7-0 victory over Penn on Friday night before taking down No. 2 Princeton in a penalty shootout on Sunday. It is the first time Carolina has swept the awards in a week since Ryleigh Heck and Abigail Taylor did so in September of the 2024 season.
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The freshman Ferri has started from game one of her young career in a midfield maestro role, a position primarily focused defensively, but it was her attacking threat that stood out this weekend. On Friday against the Quakers, she scored a pair as a part of the Heels' offensive onslaught and then stepped up to put away the game-sealing shootout strike against the Tigers.
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Her three goals through her first four career games are the most since Ryleigh Heck had the same in 2022.Â
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Ferri's circle-to-circle work rate also contributed to Carolina keeping a clean sheet in both games, but the defensive highlights came from the goalkeeper Skubisz. The second-year standout played all 135+ minutes in the two contests without allowing a goal. It was the first time in her career playing two full games in a row and she took advantage of the opportunity.Â
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The biggest moments came on Sunday night against the No. 2 Tigers. The sophomore made five saves, including a full extension stick save that kept Princeton off the board and her team in the game. In the shootout, she put the Heels in prime position by saving the first three Tiger attempts.Â
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The pair and their Tar Heel teammates will return to Karen Shelton Stadium on Friday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. for a historical showdown with No. 20 Old Dominion.
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The underclassman duo played massive roles in helping the Tar Heels to a 7-0 victory over Penn on Friday night before taking down No. 2 Princeton in a penalty shootout on Sunday. It is the first time Carolina has swept the awards in a week since Ryleigh Heck and Abigail Taylor did so in September of the 2024 season.
Â
The freshman Ferri has started from game one of her young career in a midfield maestro role, a position primarily focused defensively, but it was her attacking threat that stood out this weekend. On Friday against the Quakers, she scored a pair as a part of the Heels' offensive onslaught and then stepped up to put away the game-sealing shootout strike against the Tigers.
Â
Her three goals through her first four career games are the most since Ryleigh Heck had the same in 2022.Â
Â
Ferri's circle-to-circle work rate also contributed to Carolina keeping a clean sheet in both games, but the defensive highlights came from the goalkeeper Skubisz. The second-year standout played all 135+ minutes in the two contests without allowing a goal. It was the first time in her career playing two full games in a row and she took advantage of the opportunity.Â
Â
The biggest moments came on Sunday night against the No. 2 Tigers. The sophomore made five saves, including a full extension stick save that kept Princeton off the board and her team in the game. In the shootout, she put the Heels in prime position by saving the first three Tiger attempts.Â
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The pair and their Tar Heel teammates will return to Karen Shelton Stadium on Friday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. for a historical showdown with No. 20 Old Dominion.
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, September 08
Tuesday, September 08
Monday, September 07
Sunday, September 06