CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – An exciting week of Atlantic Coast Conference field hockey will be highlighted by a top-five showdown between No. 3 North Carolina and No. 2 Virginia. The two squads will meet on Friday, October 10, at 5 p.m. ET on ACCNX from Charlottesville, Virginia.
 
North Carolina forward/midfielder Dani Mendez will square off against her former team for the first time after posting back-to-back All-ACC seasons with the Cavaliers in 2022 and 2023. Virginia is one of three undefeated teams remaining in the country and sits atop the ACC standings with a 4-0 mark. Wake Forest also remains undefeated in ACC play at 3-0.
 
Louisville, ranked 19th in the NFHCA poll, will square off with a pair of ranked opponents on the road this week. The Cardinals will battle No. 9 Duke at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, before facing No. 3 North Carolina on Sunday, October 12, at noon ET on ACC Network.
 
Six teams from the ACC are ranked in this week’s NFHCA Coaches’ Poll, including four teams in the top five. Virginia leads the way at No. 2, followed by No. 3 North Carolina, No. 5 Syracuse, No. 5 Wake Forest, No. 9 Duke and No. 19 Louisville.
 
Noting ACC Field Hockey

• 5 of the top 10 teams in the RPI rankings hail from the ACC, including 3 of the top 5. 
• ACC teams have combined to win 14 non-conference games against ranked opponents.
• The ACC also boasts the top-rated non-conference RPI in the country. 
• Virginia currently holds a one-half game lead over Wake Forest in the ACC standings. Both teams remain undefeated in league play. 
• Syracuse’s Pati Strunk leads the nation in assists per game at 1.55. 
• Syracuse’s Bo van Kempen ranks second nationally in both goals per game (1.64) and points per game (3.55).  

 
ACC Field Hockey Weekly Schedule (All Times Eastern)
Friday, October 10
#3 North Carolina at #2 Virginia, 5 p.m., ACCNX
Queens at #5 Wake Forest, 5 p.m., ACCNX
#19 Louisville at #9 Duke, 6 p.m., ACCNX
#5 Syracuse at Stanford, 8 p.m., ACCNX
Boston College at California, 9 p.m., ACCNX
 
Sunday, October 12
#19 Louisville at #3 North Carolina, Noon, ACC Network
Delaware at #5 Wake Forest, Noon, ACCNX
#5 Syracuse at California, 4 p.m., ACCNX
Boston College at Stanford, 5 p.m., ACCNX