CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – The quest for the North Carolina field hockey team to take home its third straight national championship begins this week.
UNC (18-0 overall, 8-0 ACC) uncovered its draw for the postseason on Sunday night, claiming the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season and the sixth time in the past seven years.
This also marks the 12th occurrence in program history the Tar Heels have landed the No. 1 overall seed, dating back to when seeding began in 1997, which is six more than the next closest program.
UNC earned an automatic bid by winning the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament for the eighth consecutive year over the weekend, and is set to open postseason play against either Fairfield or Delaware at Karen Shelton Stadium in Chapel Hill on Friday at 11 a.m.
This tournament draw sets up a potential second-round matchup with arch-rival Duke, who plays Maryland immediately following the Tar Heels’ first-round game on Friday. The winners of each contest will then face off on Sunday at noon.
Set to make the program’s 41st appearance in the NCAA Tournament, the most of any team in the nation, UNC also seeks its 12th national title in school history. Friday’s opening-round matchup is slated to be the 111th game the Tar Heels have ever played in the postseason tournament, which is also the most for any NCAA program.
During the regular season, UNC continued its dominance through the ACC with another undefeated season, as five players earned spots on the All-ACC teams. Additionally, Tar Heels forward Ryleigh Heck secured ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors while head coach Erin Matson was recognized as ACC Coach of the Year.
Matson, a five-time ACC Offensive Player of the Year honoree and one of the greatest players to ever suit up for the Tar Heels, is only the second person in league history to win both awards.
Click here for a full look at the 2024 NCAA Tournament bracket.