University of North Carolina Athletics
Four Tar Heels Receive All-America Recognition
December 16, 2025 | Field Hockey
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Four Carolina field hockey players have earned All-America honors from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, the organization announced on Tuesday morning.
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Ryleigh Heck led the way by receiving first team recognition while Charly Bruder, Sietske Brüning, and Dani Mendez were selected for the second team. The group pushes the program's All-America count up to 128 total awards.
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These four served as the engine that powered North Carolina to a 27th ACC Championship (and ninth in a row) along with a run to the NCAA final four. The forward trio of Bruder, Heck and Mendez accounted for 60% of the team's goals this season.
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Heck becomes the eighth Tar Heel to be a first-team All-American on three separate seasons and earns the program its 75th first team All-America honor. The two-time reigning NFHCA South Region Player of the Year was phenomenal again in her final season in Carolina blue, scoring a career-highs in goals (19) and points (51).
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It was a season of overcoming all obstacles for Bruder, who started the year battling an injury. She would return to action in a limited capacity during the second weekend, much sooner than anticipated, and still managed to finish the year just one goal behind Heck for the most on the team.
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Brüning was another who's year was hampered by injury, but the absolute warrior refused to let the setbacks slow down her senior season. The two-time captain was the constant calming presence in midfield and defense.
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Mendez may have only had one year in Chapel Hill, but she certainly made the most of her time. The transfer racked up 15 goals and 16 assists, joining Heck as the only players in the ACC to finish in double digits in both categories.
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NFHCA All-Americans
First Team
Ryleigh Heck
Second Team
Charly Bruder
Sietske Brüning
Dani Mendez
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Ryleigh Heck led the way by receiving first team recognition while Charly Bruder, Sietske Brüning, and Dani Mendez were selected for the second team. The group pushes the program's All-America count up to 128 total awards.
Â
These four served as the engine that powered North Carolina to a 27th ACC Championship (and ninth in a row) along with a run to the NCAA final four. The forward trio of Bruder, Heck and Mendez accounted for 60% of the team's goals this season.
Â
Heck becomes the eighth Tar Heel to be a first-team All-American on three separate seasons and earns the program its 75th first team All-America honor. The two-time reigning NFHCA South Region Player of the Year was phenomenal again in her final season in Carolina blue, scoring a career-highs in goals (19) and points (51).
Â
It was a season of overcoming all obstacles for Bruder, who started the year battling an injury. She would return to action in a limited capacity during the second weekend, much sooner than anticipated, and still managed to finish the year just one goal behind Heck for the most on the team.
Â
Brüning was another who's year was hampered by injury, but the absolute warrior refused to let the setbacks slow down her senior season. The two-time captain was the constant calming presence in midfield and defense.
Â
Mendez may have only had one year in Chapel Hill, but she certainly made the most of her time. The transfer racked up 15 goals and 16 assists, joining Heck as the only players in the ACC to finish in double digits in both categories.
Â
NFHCA All-Americans
First Team
Ryleigh Heck
Second Team
Charly Bruder
Sietske Brüning
Dani Mendez
Â
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