“Erin is an outstanding player with a deep and thorough knowledge of the game, an understanding of the balance necessary to succeed as a student and an athlete, and a determination to expand and advance the winning tradition of Carolina field hockey. A leader,” said UNC Athletic Director Bubba. Cunningham said in a statement Tuesday.
Matson replaces another of the sports legends, former Tar Heels coach Karen Shelton. In November, Matson scored the winning goal that contributed to his UNC scoring. 2-1 Beat Northwestern in the NCAA Championship Game. This earned Matson his fourth national title and his third title in an undefeated season, taking advantage of his NCAA rules that qualified many pandemic-era athletes for his fifth year. .
She also received her third National Player of the Year award from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association and her fifth ACC Player of the Year award.
Now, Matson will take on another challenge to maintain the success Tar Heels has achieved under Shelton, 65. retired Over 42 seasons at UNC, Shelton set a record of 745 wins, 172 losses, and 9 losses, winning 10 NCAA championships and 39. set a record 77 wins in NCAA Tournament appearances.
A 12-time ACC Coach of the Year winner and an outstanding player before that, Shelton began coaching Tar Heels in 1981 at the age of 23.
As such, Matson, born in 2000, is already following in Shelton’s footsteps in remarkable ways.It will take decades of triumphs to further emulate her mentor.
“To say I am thrilled and honored to be the head coach of the UNC Field Hockey Program is an understatement. This is a dream come true.” We will do whatever it takes to continue the excellence of UNC field hockey.…The University of North Carolina, Shelton Coaches, and how we honor the history of the program while working with the Carolina community to reach new heights. I am trying to find out.”
A member of the US national team since age 17, Matson was the top scorer at last year’s Pan American Cup in Chile. It is unclear if her coaching duties could interfere with her international playing career.
