Toggle sidebar

UNC Field Hockey 2026-2027

3397char

3397char

All-American
Moderator
Jun 30, 2025
3,172
6,554
113
The 2026 roster has not yet been created on the official site' I will update here when completed.

Starters Lost:
  1. F Ryleigh Heck (2x NPOY, 3x 1st Team A-A, 4x All-ACC, ACC POY, 19 goals, 13 assts) - graduated
  2. MF Dani Mendez (NFHCA 2nd Team A-A, 15 goals, 16 assts) - graduated
  3. B/MF Sietske Bruning (3x NFHCA 2nd Team A-A, 2nd Team, All-ACC, 6 assts, team leadership award) - graduated
  4. B Isabele Boere (2nd Team All-ACC, 2nd team all-region, started every game at center back, 9 goals, 8 assts on PCs) - returned to Netherlands?
  5. Sr MF Sanne Hak - 3 year starter, 3x All-Region player, 7 goals, 10 assts - graduated
  6. GK Kate Wimmer (finished at UNC as the NCAA active career leader in saves, split time in Goal 50/50, played in every game)
  • F Kara Heck (4 starts when Bruder was out, 8 goals, 5 assts) - graduated
Starters Returning:
  1. Sr F Charly Bruder (NFHCA 2nd Team A-A, All ACC) - 2025 4th in ACC in goals (18), 6 assts - lead the nation in goals in 2024 (27)
  2. Sr B Grace Pottebaum - 2 year starter, named team DPOY at awards banquet
  3. So F Reese Annetsberger - 23 starts (every game) as a freshman, All-ACC Tourney team, 5 goals, 6 assts
  4. Jr B Hope Haynes - 23 starts
  5. Sr MF Molly Catchpole - 23 starts, 0 goals, 1 asst
  6. So GK Merritt Skubisz - .704 save percentage, split time in Goal 50/50, played in every game, team rookie of the year award
  • So B Coco Courtright (6 starts when Bruning was out, 1 goal, 2 assts, named team most improved player)
Notable Young Players:
  • R-FR MF Reid Miller - Redshirted in 2025, but currently on the U-21 USJWNT, HS 2nd Team A-A, HS #51-100 MaxFH
  • So MF/F Eliza Perrin - Played in 21 games, 3 goals, 1 asst. HS 1st Team A-A
  • R-FR Jenna Narleski - Redshirted in 2025, HS 2nd Team A-A,, HS Top 51-100 MaxFH
  • R-FR Olivia Anderson - played in 4 games, then redshirted in 2025, HS Top 51-100 MaxFH
Incoming Class of 2026:
Player_NamePositionMaxFH_RankUSYNT_and_AwardsHigh_School_&_StateClub_TeamHighlightsSigned
Sofia FerriMF/DTop 10, 2x MaxFH A-AU-16, U-18 & U-21 USJWNT, JR Olympics, USWNIT, 2025 NFHCA 1st Team A-AThe Hill School (PA)WC EaglesYes
Morgan O'DonnellDTop 10, 2025 Max FH 2nd Team A-AU-16 & U-18 USJWNT, 2024 NFHCA All-Region 1st Team, JR OlympicsAvon Grove (PA)WC EaglesYes
Molly NussbaumerMFUnranked, 2025 Max FH A-A 2nd teamU-21 USJWNT, Nexus Club Championship, 2025 NFHCA 2nd Team A-AGardinal Gibbons (NC)Bull CityYes
Cecily MoorheadFN/AEngland U-16 and U-18 YNT, 5X England NPOYWellington College (Wimbeldon, UK)Surbiton HCYes
Devon AndersonD/MFCamp MVP, Conference 1st Team, 2024 NEPSAC 1st teamGreenwich Country Day (CT)AGHYes
Floor HolzenboschD/MFN/A2X Captain of Dutch National Youth Club Champion,
Dutch U-16 YNT Camp		Maerlant Lyceum (Den Haag, NED)SV Kampong, HDMIntro, highlightsYes
Imme De LeeuwD/MFN/ADutch U-18 YNT, captain of Euro indoor club champion(Amsterdam, NED)PinokeYes
Emersyn O'LearyMF1st Team all-ConferenceSaint Marks (DE)CWC EaglesWalk-on?

Official UNC 2026 recruiting class release
#5 Recruiting class according the Thefieldhockeyanalyst

Incoming transfers for 2026 season:
  1. Tessa Shahbo - Sr GK Harvard Bio
Class of 2027 Commits as of 5/13/26
Player_NamePositionMaxFH_RankOther_AwardsUSYNT_and_AwardsHigh_School_&_StateClub_TeamHighlightsSigned
Maeve McGinleyMFTop 10, 2025 Max FH A-A2025 USFHCA 2nd Team A-AUSJWNT, U-16 USJWNIT (indoor), 2026 USA U-18 Camp Invite,Academy of Notre Dame de Namur (PA)WC Eagles
Piper ReisbaneGK#51-100U-16 USJWNIT (indoor), U-17 USJWNIT (indoor)(PA)WC Eagles
Jack ShawMFTop 10, 2025 Max FH A-A2025 NFHCA 2nd Team A-AU-16 USJWNT, U-16 USJWNIT (indoor), 2026 USA U-18 Camp Invite,Villa Maria Academy (PA)WC Eagles

Class of 2028 Commits as of 5/13/26
Player_NamePositionMaxFH_RankOther_AwardsUSYNT_and_AwardsHigh_School_&_StateClub_TeamHighlightsSigned
Reese D'ArianoMFTop 10Youngest player ever to score a goal at the FIH Indoor World CupUSWNT, USWNIT, USJWNT, USJWNIT, Tourney MVP at the Indoor Pan Am Cup , 2X 'Young Player of the Tourney' at the FIH Indoor World CupHome schooled (PA)WC Eagles
*D'Ariano told IC Reporter Spencer Haskell in this interview she plans to take a gap year in 2027 to focus on the 2028 Olympics, postponing her college matriculation to 2028

UNC's Spring scrimmages did not provide much insight on starting lineups because many graduating players started.

The 2025-2026 Field Hockey Thread
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: airball
M

minas823

Sophomore
Oct 13, 2025
73
132
33
@3397char Thank you for putting this together! One edit (I believe) being that Sanne will not be returning 😢

After only having Boere for a year, I am really happy to see Cecily wants to be here for 4 years. She should slide in nicely to fill the void left behind by Boere.
 
  • Like
Reactions: airball
3397char

3397char

All-American
Moderator
Jun 30, 2025
3,172
6,554
113
minas823 said:
@3397char Thank you for putting this together! One edit (I believe) being that Sanne will not be returning 😢

After only having Boere for a year, I am really happy to see Cecily wants to be here for 4 years. She should slide in nicely to fill the void left behind by Boere.
Click to expand...
I know that she graduated this year (in three, well done!) but do we have some confirmation she is finished at UNC?

This certainly does seem like a goodbye, so I do think you are correct:

 
  • Like
Reactions: airball
U

UNCH

Junior
Aug 1, 2025
184
246
43
Hak is done. She only had 3 years.

Ferri is elite defender/ball advancement player.

No clue who is replacing Ryleigh. This is huge weakness for the team.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3397char
3397char

3397char

All-American
Moderator
Jun 30, 2025
3,172
6,554
113
One notable change for 20256-27 will be the new 5 years to play 5 rule. The first immediate affect is there will be no reason for freshmen to redshirt.
 
3397char

3397char

All-American
Moderator
Jun 30, 2025
3,172
6,554
113
UNCH said:
Hak is done. She only had 3 years.

Ferri is elite defender/ball advancement player.

No clue who is replacing Ryleigh. This is huge weakness for the team.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Unless some freshman comes in like Matson and then Heck did, this team will lack obvious star power and a mandatory double team for the first time in a very long time.

I do not see us as a top 2 team in the country like previous years. Certainly still top 10, but by our standard this is a rebuilding year on paper.
 
M

minas823

Sophomore
Oct 13, 2025
73
132
33
This could be a tough year, as we try to navigate replacing nearly all of our offensive production (outside of Bruder).

I am praying that at least one of the incoming Europeans have a little Yentl/Eva van’t hoog/Ryleigh/Erin playmaking and field vision abilities in them. We truly have been blessed with so many great players this past decade. Growing pains without these kind of players on the field will be noticeable.

I trust our staff will have these athletes hungry and motivated to step up into bigger roles this season.

Outside of the obvious returners - I think we have a few wild cards for this season. One being Caroline Golden. She looked really comfortable in the little minutes she played last season, and continued to play in system swinging the ball around the back field well. Ella Barbacci too - she was getting a lot of minutes towards the end of the season off the bench and looked comfortable out there. Reid Miller spending time with the U21 team means she must have some abilities worth keeping an eye one.

I hope Eliza Perrin works really hard in the off season. She shows promise, with a high motor but often times was out of control and card prone.

I am wondering if the goalie position will be split again this year?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3397char
unc80

unc80

All-Conference
Nov 1, 2009
2,067
3,338
113
Looks like Erin is really going to earn her paycheck next season.
 
3397char

3397char

All-American
Moderator
Jun 30, 2025
3,172
6,554
113
minas823 said:
I am wondering if the goalie position will be split again this year?
Click to expand...
I think Shahbo is as good as either keeper last season and I don’t see Skibisz losing her starts, so my guess is split goal again.
 
J

Jriv23

All-Conference
Jul 31, 2025
1,903
2,005
113
I think the European players coming in are going to help us out tremendously this coming season. If you look at the world cup for field hockey, the players from Europe, Belgium, and the Netherlands tend to be further ahead than American players. We do have I think four coming in. I not worry as much as some are about next year. We have a great coaching staff and we have some players like Coco and company that should be ready now. They will be either juniors and seniors this coming season and I think they will be ready for the challenge. Go Heels!
 
  • Like
Reactions: oldwell, JOB1937 and wcheel
3397char

3397char

All-American
Moderator
Jun 30, 2025
3,172
6,554
113
Jriv23 said:
We redshirted three our top freshman last year, Reid Miller, Olivia Anderson and Jenna Narleski.
Click to expand...
I overlooked Anderson; I will put her in the OP. But our top 2 recruits by ranking played (Skubisz & Anetsberger) These three may be great, but were 2nd tier on paper in terms of ranking. I will be pleasantly surprised if they are key contributors in their first season.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jriv23 and oldwell
J

Jriv23

All-Conference
Jul 31, 2025
1,903
2,005
113
I guess our field hockey team will have to keep receipts for the upcoming season as well. Where is love and respect UNC filed hockey team should be getting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JOB1937
3397char

3397char

All-American
Moderator
Jun 30, 2025
3,172
6,554
113
No cool graphic for the U-21 team yet at the Four Nations Tournament in July yet, but it incudes the following UNC Players:

  1. Fr MF/D Sofia Ferri
  2. Fr MF Molly Nussbaumer
  3. So F Reese Anetsberger
  4. So MF Reid Miller
www.usafieldhockey.com

4 Nations Tournament (U-21 USWNT)

Taking place July 8 to 15 at the Lilleshall National Sports Centre in Lilleshall, England, the 4 Nations Tournament features U-21 teams from Belgium, England, India, and the United States. Matches will not be livestreamed....
www.usafieldhockey.com www.usafieldhockey.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jriv23 and JOB1937
A

airball

Senior
Jul 20, 2025
405
783
93
As noted by many — lots of experienced talent lost from last season. Talented incoming players, but experience gaps are likely to be exposed.

Should be an interesting season so long as expectations are tempered.

GO HEELS!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 3397char and JOB1937
J

Jriv23

All-Conference
Jul 31, 2025
1,903
2,005
113
Airball if you listened to the interview that Tommy did with Erin, Erin said some things that contradicts what you just said. To be honest, the European players that are coming in are not your typically freshmen. European players tend to be far ahead of our US players in field hockey. When was the last time that the US won the World cup in Field Hockey? That should tell you the difference between them and our players. We just saw how Isabelle B. did this past year and that was her first year playing for us but she has been playing for the Belgium National team for awhile now. There is a reason why she is going back to play professionally again after playing one year for us. That was her plan and she stated this when she came last year.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oldwell and JOB1937
A

airball

Senior
Jul 20, 2025
405
783
93
Jriv23 said:
Airball if you listened to the interview that Tommy did with Erin, Erin said some things that contradicts what you just said. To be honest, the European players that are coming in are not your typically freshmen. European players tend to be far ahead of our US players in field hockey. When was the last time that the US won the World cup in Field Hockey? That should tell you the difference between them and our players. We just saw how Isabelle B. did this past year and that was her first year playing for us but she has been playing for the Belgium National team for awhile now. There is a reason why she is going back to play professionally again after playing one year for us. That was her plan and she stated this when she came last year.
Click to expand...
Gosh, I wish you had shared your profound knowledge before I wasted my time posting drivel.
 
Last edited:
A

airball

Senior
Jul 20, 2025
405
783
93
As soon as my source provides me with a prediction for the upcoming season, I will share it. However, for the present I am advised that the incoming Europeans will provide all the experience that we could possibly hope for.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JOB1937
J

Jack82930509

Redshirt
Jul 31, 2025
6
9
3
I am of the opinion we will lose some games next year. Our lack of playmaking especially up top was very evident in the spring. Obviously we will still be good but I don’t expect us to be #1 all year.
 
J

Jriv23

All-Conference
Jul 31, 2025
1,903
2,005
113
Yeah, I do expect us to have some growing pains. By all means, no one is going undefeated in college Field Hockey this coming season. I think NW will start off being Number 1. They are the reigning champions.
 
3397char

3397char

All-American
Moderator
Jun 30, 2025
3,172
6,554
113
This will be the first time since 2017 that we will not either have the best offensive player in college field hockey or at least someone in the argument/top 2.

NW loses POY Zimmer but they still have 1st teamers Sessa and Trompe, 2nd team GK Boon, and 3rd team Bent-Cole . Sessa gets my vote for preseason POY. NW is the clear preseason #1. Not even close.

Off the 1st team: We lose Heck, Cuse loses Bo Van Kempen, Princeton loses Yeager, Brown loses Adams,UVA loses Leemens, Harvard their top MF and defender, so really it is somewhat of a changing of the guard at the top. I think The Ivy banner season will not repeat. Yale does return MF Picciafuoco, probably their conference preseason POY.

Iowa returns Van Aalsum, a 1st team forward and national leader in goals. She may fight Sessa for the preseason POY award.

Looking at the ACC, McVeigh at Dook and Schoenbeck at WF join the above as returning 1st team A-A‘S. Schoenbeck is the reigning ACC POY, McVeigh a former ACC POY. Throw in the UVA GK who was also a 1st team A-A and there is your ACC star power.

don’t be surprised if UNC is 2nd or 3rd in preseason ACC votes. Dook finished 6th nationally last season and returns 8 starters plus a MD transfer who started. I bet they are #1. WF finished 8th but they return the ACC POY, DPOY and FOY. In all they return 8 starters including 5 who received some sort of All-ACC recognition. I think there is a good chance they pass us in votes as well and could challenge dook for the top nod. UVA finished 5th nationally. They return 5 starters and a Louisville transfer who started. But My guess is they stay behind UNC.

while prolific with her shot I still see Bruder as a bit of a big hitter specialist. Can she carry a team? We lose almost all of the rest of our offense. Annetsberger is the only other returning starter with multiple goals. We lose our top offensive sub as well. And Boerre who was our APC specialist. in short, We are looking for a ton of women to step up, especially on offense.

there is a decent argument to be made that on paper dook and WF tier 1 while UVA & UNC are tier 2. It is just hard to tell with so many question marks. All are clearly top 10 teams again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom