Field hockey wins 9th consecutive ACC title
The Tar Heels defeated Virginia, 4-1, giving Carolina its 300th conference championship across all sports.
Carolina field hockey earned its ninth straight Atlantic Coast Conference championship and 28th overall with a dominant 4-1 victory over Virginia on Friday at Trager Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky. Dani Mendez, the tournament’s most valuable player, led the way for the Tar Heels with two goals.
With the victory, Carolina became the first school to reach 300 ACC titles across all sports.
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The Tar Heels (19-1), who seem to be hitting their stride at the perfect time, seized control of the game early and never looked back. Mendez’s opening goal came in the fourth minute of play. Her second score doubled the Tar Heel lead, and a goal by Charly Bruder made it 3-0 in the second period.
Holding a 3-1 lead at the half, Carolina locked down Virginia with its defense. The Tar Heels didn’t allow a single shot from the Cavaliers after the break.
True first-year Reese Anetsberger, assisted by Mendez, closed out the scoring for Carolina with a goal just one minute into the second half.
Merritt Skubisz started in goal and made three saves in the first half before giving way to Katie Wimmer, who held the Cavaliers scoreless for the final 30 minutes.
Carolina’s 28 ACC titles are more than all other teams combined, and nine consecutive championships is the longest streak in conference history.
The Tar Heels, who’ve won 11 national titles, now turn their attention to the NCAA tournament. The 18-team field and bracket will be announced Nov. 9.
