WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (theACC.com) – For the 27th time in program history and eighth consecutive season, the North Carolina Tar Heels are ACC Field Hockey Champions. The top-seeded Tar Heels swept through the 2024 ACC Field Hockey Championship, culminating with a 4-1 win over third-seeded Boston College on Friday, November 8, at Wake Forest University’s Kentner Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Less than 2:30 into the second quarter, Charly Bruder recorded her fifth goal of the tournament and 26th of the season. As she had done in both the quarterfinals and semifinals, Bruder opened the scoring for the Tar Heels on a penalty corner with Ciana Riccardo and Katie Dixon earning assists.
Riccardo got into the scoring column for the first time this season with 3:28 remaining in the second quarter. The penalty corner continued to be North Carolina’s strong point throughout the tournament as the back from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, put the Tar Heels up 2-0 off an assist from Sietske Brüning. Throughout the game, North Carolina drew 16 penalty corners compared to just three from Boston College.
After halftime, North Carolina pushed its lead to three when Sanne Hak buried a penalty stroke for her ninth goal of the season. North Carolina’s 3-0 lead would carry into the fourth quarter when Ryleigh Heck, the ACC Offensive Player of the Year, scored her 13th goal of the season and the Tar Heel lead would grow to four.
Boston College broke up North Carolina’s shutout effort with 34 seconds left in the fourth quarter. The Eagles’ Klara Mueffelman recorded her first goal of the season, stemming from a penalty corner.
Bruder was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring five goals throughout the Tar Heels’ three games. Heck finished one goal shy of tying the ACC Championship record of six goals in a single tournament – a record that North Carolina head coach Erin Matson holds.
The selection show for the 2024 NCAA Championship will be held at 10 p.m. ET on Sunday, November 10, on NCAA.com.
All-ACC Tournament Team
Charly Bruder, North Carolina (MVP)
Sanne Hak, North Carolina
Ryleigh Heck, North Carolina
Kelly Smith, North Carolina
Martina Giacchino, Boston College
Eva Kluskens, Boston College
Yani Zhong, Boston College
Kira Curland, Duke
Alaina McVeigh, Duke
Berber Bakermans, Syracuse
Louise Pert, Syracuse
2024 ACC Field Hockey Championship
Kentner Stadium; Winston-Salem, N.C.
All games listed in Eastern Time.
Quarterfinals
Tuesday, November 5
10 a.m. - #1 North Carolina 5, #8 Cal 0
12:30 p.m. - #5 Syracuse 1, #4 Virginia 0
3:30 p.m. - #2 Duke 4, #7 Wake Forest 1
6:00 p.m. - #3 Boston College 3, #6 Stanford 2
Semifinals
Wednesday, November 6
1 p.m. – #1 North Carolina 3, #5 Syracuse 1
3:30 p.m. - #3 Boston College 2, #2 Duke 1 (Boston College wins 2-0 in shootout)
Championship
Friday, November 8
Noon – #1 North Carolina 4, #3 Boston College 1