University of North Carolina Athletics
The Tar Heels celebrated with their coach in November when she became the sport's all-time wins leader.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Shelton, Matson Named Among ACC's All-Time Bests
March 17, 2021 | Field Hockey
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Atlantic Coast Conference has long been hailed as a power in women's athletics, with member schools excelling in a range of sports. For instance, the ACC led all conferences with eight teams selected for the 2021 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. In field hockey, ACC teams have won 13 of the last 19 NCAA titles. In women's soccer, UNC alone has won 21 titles, and current ACC teams have combined for 26.
Amongst all that excellence, two members of the Carolina field hockey program stand out. As the ACC Network recognized top female athletes and coaches Monday in celebration of Women's History Month, it named UNC coach Karen Shelton the top female coach in ACC history and ranked junior Erin Matson 10th on its list of the top 10 female athletes in ACC history.
Matson was one of three Tar Heels on the list, along with women's soccer standouts Mia Hamm (No. 1) and Kristine Lilly (No. 7).
Last fall, Shelton, now in her 40th season at UNC, became the winningest coach in the history of collegiate field hockey. She now has a total of 704 wins, all as the coach at Carolina, and has led the Tar Heels to eight NCAA Championships and 23 ACC crowns.
Matson, a junior forward from Chadds Ford, Pa., already ranks among the program's leaders in goals (fourth all-time), assists (eighth) and points (also fourth). In 2020 she became the first sophomore ever to win the Mary Garber Award as the ACC's female athlete of the year. She also won the Honda Award as the field hockey player of the year after leading the Tar Heels to a second-consecutive undefeated season and NCAA title.
Shelton, Matson and the Tar Heels are ranked No. 1 in the nation this spring as they seek a third straight title, this one on their home turf. The delayed 2020 NCAA Championship, set to be played in May in Chapel Hill, will take place at a facility that stands as a testament to the phenomenal success the ACC Network honored on Monday.
The facility's name? Karen Shelton Stadium.
Amongst all that excellence, two members of the Carolina field hockey program stand out. As the ACC Network recognized top female athletes and coaches Monday in celebration of Women's History Month, it named UNC coach Karen Shelton the top female coach in ACC history and ranked junior Erin Matson 10th on its list of the top 10 female athletes in ACC history.
Matson was one of three Tar Heels on the list, along with women's soccer standouts Mia Hamm (No. 1) and Kristine Lilly (No. 7).
Last fall, Shelton, now in her 40th season at UNC, became the winningest coach in the history of collegiate field hockey. She now has a total of 704 wins, all as the coach at Carolina, and has led the Tar Heels to eight NCAA Championships and 23 ACC crowns.
Matson, a junior forward from Chadds Ford, Pa., already ranks among the program's leaders in goals (fourth all-time), assists (eighth) and points (also fourth). In 2020 she became the first sophomore ever to win the Mary Garber Award as the ACC's female athlete of the year. She also won the Honda Award as the field hockey player of the year after leading the Tar Heels to a second-consecutive undefeated season and NCAA title.
Shelton, Matson and the Tar Heels are ranked No. 1 in the nation this spring as they seek a third straight title, this one on their home turf. The delayed 2020 NCAA Championship, set to be played in May in Chapel Hill, will take place at a facility that stands as a testament to the phenomenal success the ACC Network honored on Monday.
The facility's name? Karen Shelton Stadium.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Field HockeyMBB: Jarin Stevenson Intro Press Conference
Tuesday, October 14
Bill Belichick Pre-Cal Press Conference - October 13, 2025
Tuesday, October 14
Carolina Insider - Interview with Jarin Stevenson (Full Segment) - October 13, 2025
Monday, October 13
UNC Volleyball: Tar Heels Rally to 4-Set Victory at Georgia Tech
Sunday, October 12