UNC Field Hockey 2026-2027

[3397char]

ah man the USA vs Scotland game aired this morning and I missed it. There will be highlights on YouTune in a couple of hours.

spoiler alert:







(Game will not be televised in replay, so I don't think this is much of a spoiler):
#11 USA Wins 3-2 over #14 Scotland>

17 y.o. Reese D'Ariano scores the first goal on a backhand rocket and earns player of the match. Here highlight is imbedded in this article.

The pivotal play was probably an unforced turnover by the Scottish defense that led to an uncontested breakaway from Gladieux.

Argentina beat #5 Germany, also 3-2, so we are tied with Argentina in Pool play at 4 points. USA plays #5 Germany at 8AM on CBS Sports Network to decide the pool.

Top 2 teams in Pool B advance. USA advances by:

• Beating Germany
• Tying Germany
• Losing to Germany, but with a better goal differential than Argentina losing to Scotland (unlikely)

If USA advances along with the other Pool B team, they then move to a new quarterfinal Pool along with the two Pool C winners. In that new quarterfinal pool the already completed game versus either Argentina (likely) or Germany will automatically count. So we could enter that pool already with a tie against #2 Argentina and 1 point in the bank.

 

[Jriv23]

I only have one question, Will Floor be coming in next year? Thanks Tommy for all that you do. I appreciate all of your videos, podcasts, and efforts. Have a great day.

 

[Deja_Blu]

ah man the USA vs Scotland game aired this morning and I missed it. There will be highlights on YouTune in a couple of hours.

spoiler alert:







(Game will not be televised in replay, so I don't think this is much of a spoiler):
#11 USA Wins 3-2 over #14 Scotland>

17 y.o. Reese D'Ariano scores the first goal on a backhand rocket and earns player of the match. Here highlight is imbedded in this article.

The pivotal play was probably an unforced turnover by the Scottish defense that led to an uncontested breakaway from Gladieux.

Argentina beat #5 Germany, also 3-2, so we are tied with Argentina in Pool play at 4 points. USA plays #5 Germany at 8AM on CBS Sports Network to decide the pool.

Top 2 teams in Pool B advance. USA advances by:

• Beating Germany
• Tying Germany
• Losing to Germany, but with a better goal differential than Argentina losing to Scotland (unlikely)

If USA advances along with the other Pool B team, they then move to a new quarterfinal Pool along with the two Pool C winners. In that new quarterfinal pool the already completed game versus either Argentina (likely) or Germany will automatically count. So we could enter that pool already with a tie against #2 Argentina and 1 point in the bank.

Thank-you, 3397char.
If you have the WC Pass, you can still watch it on demand as I did this AM.

For now, let me offer this.

Excellent play-by-play and description by Charlie Brougham with color provided
by Toby Velter.

A short video that captures an expression of surprise and pure joy in equal measure.

 

[Jriv23]

Wow, Reece D is something special. What she is doing at age of 17 unheard of. She reminds me of Chloe H in Lacrosse and the high school in young lady in soccer. These three are phenoms in their perspective sports. I am so glad that all three of them are and will be Tarheels. Go Heels!

 

[Deja_Blu]

About the 30 second mark, recognize anyone just after Melissa Gonzalez?

The voice of Charlie Brougham calls the 2018 London World Cup USA vs England game.

 

[Talliecat1]

Is Dani Mendez coming back this fall? I thought I saw her in Charley Bruders tik tok wearing #30? Or did I imagine this?

 

[Lucretius]

Matson interview this week. I'll comb this thread for questions but I'll say, I'm not going to walk in with a scroll of questions....so narrow them down! lol

Should be a good sitdown with Coach Matson as things get rolling this season.

Will Erin attempt to play in the Olympics?

 

[Jriv23]

I would love to have Dani back? That is a very good question.

 

[JOB1937]

Will Erin attempt to play in the Olympics?

She answered on the interview with Bonnie Bernstein that she has given up that dream and that she is ok with that; she has a new purpose.

 

[minas823]

Wow! If we have Dani back this would seriously alter the trajectory of this season. She participated in media day… This would be some cruel joke if she does not end up on the roster. Fingers crossed!

First day of practice I thought I saw Dani in a video posted to IG - but I assumed it was a recycled video from last season.

 

[minas823]

I am surprised someone close to the program has not reported on this, if it is to be true!

 

[Jriv23]

Can someone check on this to see if that information about Dani is true? With Floor not being here for this season, there is / should be a spot available. Maybe this can be a question for Tommy to ask Erin.

 

[minas823]

Call me crazy and tell me that is not Sietske as well

 

[JOB1937]

US eliminated after 3-1 loss to Germany. Oh well.

 

[UNCH]

Not sure why they have declined so much. I guess saying you don't want Erin Matson was karma. Congrats to Ashley she got a goal and didn't win squat. I don't why UNC fans like her. She doesn't like Erin or Ryleigh. Her mother is helicopter parent, doesn't realize barely anyone in America cares about FH. Her daughter not going to be IG famous. I'll give her credit she transferred to right school. What's funny is Zimmer got all credit for winning those national titles.

 

[minas823]

Not sure why they have declined so much. I guess saying you don't want Erin Matson was karma. Congrats to Ashley she got a goal and didn't win squat. I don't why UNC fans like her. She doesn't like Erin or Ryleigh. Her mother is helicopter parent, doesn't realize barely anyone in America cares about FH. Her daughter not going to be IG famous. I'll give her credit she transferred to right school. What's funny is Zimmer got all credit for winning those national titles.

Maybe just don’t next time?

 

[Jriv23]

I guess Ashley wanted to be the number one option and she wanted to be pampered, etc. Erin was not going to do that and I love Erin for that. I believed Erin wanted her to work for it. The same way Karen S. made her work for it. She just did not give the keys to Erin when she had her first practice. I will leave analogy by two Duke players here. Christian L stated that the reason why he hated Bobby H was because when he first got to Duke, Coach K made him work for it, but when Bobby came, Christian L stated that he gave Bobby the keys from day one. I can see Ashley being something like that and her parents were probably a headache to deal with. Ryleigh H was just as good and Ashley IMO was afraid of the competition and that is one of the reasons why she left and probably why she hated Ryleigh. I really did like Ashley and I was sad when she left, but know I see the picture now about her and her parents.

 

[oldwell]

So, it’s confirmed Dani and Sietzke are back?

 

[Jriv23]

I hope you are right about this. I would love to have both of them back. Go Heels!

 

[Talliecat1]

So, it’s confirmed Dani and Sietzke are back?

No we are just speculating….

 

[Jriv23]

No we are just speculating….

Oh, okay. Thanks for letting us readers know.

 

[oldwell]

No we are just speculating….

I know, I’m asking if it can be confirmed by someone.

 

[minas823]

Someone needs to take one for the team and scout a practice

 

[oldwell]

Someone needs to take one for the team and scout a practice

Did some sleuthing.

It appears she changed numbers in that TikTok video. I don’t think she would be doing that if she wasn’t on the team.

Also, saw on LinkedIn that she’s enrolled in a grad program.

Also, it makes sense why they haven’t released a roster yet if they’re still adding.

 

[minas823]

Did some sleuthing.

It appears she changed numbers in that TikTok video. I don’t think she would be doing that if she wasn’t on the team.

Also, saw on LinkedIn that she’s enrolled in a grad program.

Also, it makes sense why they haven’t released a roster yet if they’re still adding.

Check in on Sietske as well! The season is off to a great start if Dani returns. We need help on the offensive front, so in return we can focus more on defense for this season.

 

[oldwell]

Check in on Sietske as well! The season is off to a great start if Dani returns. We need help on the offensive front, so in return we can focus more on defense for this season.

Couldn’t find anything on her, but I mean if she was in that picture, I would assume she’s back as well.

 

[TommyAshley]

Mendez and Bruning are around and set to be GAs depending court ruling on the eligibility questions for college athletes in the 2022 class.

Of course, if/when there is reportable news beyond that, we will report it here.

 

[oldwell]

Mendez and Bruning are around and set to be GAs depending court ruling on the eligibility questions for college athletes in the 2022 class.

Of course, if/when there is reportable news beyond that, we will report it here.

Confusing on the wording regarding depending on the court ruling.

Wasn’t the NCAA’s appeal unsuccessful - thus aren’t all 2022 athletes are eligible? Maybe I’m misunderstanding where we currently are.

 

[minas823]

Mendez and Bruning are around and set to be GAs depending court ruling on the eligibility questions for college athletes in the 2022 class.

Of course, if/when there is reportable news beyond that, we will report it here.

Thank you for letting us know!

 

[3397char]

Confusing on the wording regarding depending on the court ruling.

Wasn’t the NCAA’s appeal unsuccessful - thus aren’t all 2022 athletes are eligible? Maybe I’m misunderstanding where we currently are.

The court "ruling" was a temporary stay on only the 5in5 rule: allowing graduated 2022 players to play pending the actual court ruling.

However the NCAA bylaws state that if you use a player under a TOS, and they later lose their court case then you will have used an ineligible player and thus become subject to NCAA violations like vacating records and punishable infractions.

Unfortunately that TOS that affected the entire country did not address the NCAA bylaws issue, the I entered the draft and/or entered a pro training camp issue, the I signed a pro agent issue, nor did it open the transfer portal.

So for these reasons, most athletes remain in some level of limbo on some or all of those issues. There are a number of court cases for smaller classes of athletes (not the entire country in every sport) where certain players have more clarity. And there probably will be some schools that roll the dice on playing a player under the temporary stay, while other Athletic departments will be more "by the book."

Winter and spring sports have the luxury of wait and see a little more. Unfortunately fall sports like Field Hockey have to do provisionary things like convince players to enroll in grad school on the chance more clarity is formed before the season ends.

 

[3397char]

US eliminated after 3-1 loss to Germany. Oh well.

Just to be clear, the US will now participate in a pool of the 9-16 placed teams to vie for 9th place. The win over Scotland carries over into this pool. Matches versus Ireland and NZ still pending:


Game versus Ireland is tomorrow (Fri 8/21) at 8AM
Game versus NZ is the next day (Sat 8/22) at 8:30 AM

I don't see either game listed by CBS sports, so I assume only those who bought the streaming package will see them.

 

[3397char]

I guess Ashley wanted to be the number one option and she wanted to be pampered, etc. Erin was not going to do that and I love Erin for that. I believed Erin wanted her to work for it. The same way Karen S. made her work for it. She just did not give the keys to Erin when she had her first practice. I will leave analogy by two Duke players here. Christian L stated that the reason why he hated Bobby H was because when he first got to Duke, Coach K made him work for it, but when Bobby came, Christian L stated that he gave Bobby the keys from day one. I can see Ashley being something like that and her parents were probably a headache to deal with. Ryleigh H was just as good and Ashley IMO was afraid of the competition and that is one of the reasons why she left and probably why she hated Ryleigh. I really did like Ashley and I was sad when she left, but know I see the picture now about her and her parents.

Y'all are reading way too much into this.

Sessa chose to take a season away from college to do the Olympic path. It was required by the team. Matson chose to take the best coaching job in US field hockey. Two different paths. Clearly the best option available to each of them.

I have no idea if they are rivals, or any bad blood or anything, My guess is that what we are hearing here is mostly speculation and rumor fuled by sour grapes of her transferring.

But speaking generally:

1. A ton of college athletes transfer during a coaching change. That is the norm.
2. A ton transfer just in general these days.
3. It is not hard to imagine a player who does not want to play for a completely inexperienced peer on the field, as opposed to the HOF coach who just retired. NW still had a HoF coach on the sidelines and it is a pretty good school and program. A player of Sessa caliber certainly had the opportunity to go wherever she wanted.

As for her "working for it." she took an entire year off from college and travelled with team USA to earn an Olympic berth. They were definitely not favored to make the Olympics. But they did. She is now the starting center forward for USA. She is an Olympian. She will be a 2x Olympian if she is healthy in 2028.

No reason to trash this kid, unless ya'll know something I don't. She may no longer represent UNC but she does represent USA. Good enough for me to root for her. I of course never rooted for her in purple.

 

[tmatheny]

The court "ruling" was a temporary stay on only the 5in5 rule: allowing graduated 2022 players to play pending the actual court ruling.

However the NCAA bylaws state that if you use a player under a TOS, and they later lose their court case then you will have used an ineligible player and thus become subject to NCAA violations like vacating records and punishable infractions.

Unfortunately that TOS that affected the entire country did not address the NCAA bylaws issue, the I entered the draft and/or entered a pro training camp issue, the I signed a pro agent issue, nor did it open the transfer portal.

So for these reasons, most athletes remain in some level of limbo on some or all of those issues. There are a number of court cases for smaller classes of athletes (not the entire country in every sport) where certain players have more clarity. And there probably will be some schools that roll the dice on playing a player under the temporary stay, while other Athletic departments will be more "by the book."

Winter and spring sports have the luxury of wait and see a little more. Unfortunately fall sports like Field Hockey have to do provisionary things like convince players to enroll in grad school on the chance more clarity is formed before the season ends.

The court "ruling" was a temporary stay on only the 5in5 rule: allowing graduated 2022 players to play pending the actual court ruling.

However the NCAA bylaws state that if you use a player under a TOS, and they later lose their court case then you will have used an ineligible player and thus become subject to NCAA violations like vacating records and punishable infractions.

Unfortunately that TOS that affected the entire country did not address the NCAA bylaws issue, the I entered the draft and/or entered a pro training camp issue, the I signed a pro agent issue, nor did it open the transfer portal.

So for these reasons, most athletes remain in some level of limbo on some or all of those issues. There are a number of court cases for smaller classes of athletes (not the entire country in every sport) where certain players have more clarity. And there probably will be some schools that roll the dice on playing a player under the temporary stay, while other Athletic departments will be more "by the book."

Winter and spring sports have the luxury of wait and see a little more. Unfortunately fall sports like Field Hockey have to do provisionary things like convince players to enroll in grad school on the chance more clarity is formed before the season ends.

Thank you for your clarity on this. Rece Verhoff has been announced as coming back for his 5th year for the football team and everything I have read seems to indicate that they are planning on rolling with him as the starting kicker. I hope these athletes get confirmation soon or the coaches have the guts to throw the players out there. If every 5th year athlete in limbo was thrown into action the NCAA would be even more in over their head if they wanted to take action on they players (schools). Their (NCAA) decision to announce the 5th year at the timing that did is the reason for all this uncertainty.

 

[tmatheny]

Mendez and Bruning are around and set to be GAs depending court ruling on the eligibility questions for college athletes in the 2022 class.

Of course, if/when there is reportable news beyond that, we will report it here.

Any intel on Heck? And would we have room for 3 additions?