Ryleigh Heck’s shootout goals helps UNC capture 11th Field Hockey title

If not for a desperation save by Maddie Kahn in the second overtime of Sunday’s NCAA Field Hockey National Championship game, UNC might not be standing where it is now.

Because of that sprawling save, which came on an odd-woman rush for Northwestern, the Tar Heels had a chance to win in a shootout.

That’s exactly what UNC did.

After falling behind by a goal in the overtime shootout, sophomore Ryleigh Heck completed the comeback with a goal of her own, giving the Tar Heels a 2-1 and helping them capture their 11th National Championship.

UNC took a 1-0 lead in the shootout, then missed on its next couple attempts. Northwestern took advantage of this, jumping ahead 2-1 (in the shootout) and needing just one Annabel Skubisz save, to capture its second title in three years.

Carolina tied things up on their next shot, then went into sudden-death shootout mode. Kahn came up with another clutch save, then Heck sent Chapel Hill into pandamonium with her game-winner.

UNC extended its record for most national championships, moving two ahead of Old Dominion and winning it all for the second straight year. What makes this year’s natty that much more impressive however, was that it came in Erin Matson’s first year as head coach.

Matson is arguably the greatest player in program history, plus one of the most decorated Tar Heels across all sports. She helped UNC win the ACC Championships in all five seasons as a player (2018-2022), in addition to four National Championships (2018-2020, 2022).

The fact that Carolina is already finding championship-level success, with a first-year head coach, bodes really well for the future.

But for now, the Tar Heels are going to bask in the glory of their new title.

Story originally appeared on Tarheels Wire