This one’s worth posting here for others to see. What a move.
UNC Field Hockey 2026-2027
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This one’s worth posting here for others to see. What a move.
Very creative. Goalie had zero chance to stop that one.
UNC moves up to 13th in RPI:
| Rank | School | Record | Conf | Road | Neutral | Home | Non-Div I | Prev |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern | 12-0 | Big Ten | 6-0 | 1-0 | 5-0 | 0-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Maryland | 11-0 | Big Ten | 3-0 | 1-0 | 7-0 | 0-0 | 2 |
| 3 | UConn | 9-1 | Big East | 4-1 | 1-0 | 4-0 | 0-0 | 8 |
| 4 | Harvard | 8-1 | Ivy League | 2-0 | 0-0 | 6-1 | 0-0 | 4 |
| 5 | Duke | 9-2 | ACC | 2-0 | 0-2 | 7-0 | 0-0 | 6 |
| 6 | Iowa | 11-1 | Big Ten | 3-0 | 3-0 | 5-1 | 0-0 | 3 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 11-1 | MAC | 5-1 | 1-0 | 5-0 | 0-0 | 9 |
| 8 | Wake Forest | 7-4 | ACC | 2-2 | 1-0 | 4-2 | 0-0 | 5 |
| 9 | Princeton | 6-4 | Ivy League | 2-3 | 1-0 | 3-1 | 0-0 | 12 |
| 10 | Lafayette | 9-2 | Patriot | 3-2 | 1-0 | 5-0 | 0-0 | 7 |
| 11 | Louisville | 8-4 | ACC | 3-1 | 0-2 | 5-1 | 0-0 | 10 |
| 12 | California | 7-3 | ACC | 4-0 | 0-0 | 3-3 | 0-0 | 11 |
| 13 | North Carolina | 6-4 | ACC | 4-0 | 0-2 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 15 |
| 14 | Virginia | 6-4 | ACC | 4-1 | 0-1 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 19 |
| 15 | Penn St. | 6-4 | Big Ten | 2-1 | 0-0 | 4-3 | 0-0 | 23 |
| 16 | Miami (OH) | 7-4 | MAC | 3-3 | 1-1 | 3-0 | 0-0 | 16 |
| 17 | Indiana | 8-3 | Big Ten | 4-2 | 1-1 | 3-0 | 0-0 | 14 |
| 18 | Liberty | 7-4 | Big East | 4-1 | 0-1 | 3-2 | 0-0 | 28 |
| 19 | Syracuse | 6-3 | ACC | 4-3 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0-0 | 13 |
| 20 | Yale | 6-2 | Ivy League | 1-1 | 0-0 | 5-1 | 0-0 | 24 |
| 21 | Drexel | 8-3 | CAA | 3-1 | 0-0 | 5-2 | 0-0 | 21 |
| 22 | Michigan | 5-5 | Big Ten | 2-2 | 1-0 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 20 |
| 23 | Boston College | 4-7 | ACC | 1-4 | 1-0 | 2-3 | 0-0 | 18 |
| 24 | Monmouth | 8-2 | CAA | 3-0 | 0-0 | 5-2 | 0-0 | 25 |
| 25 | Rutgers | 6-6 | Big Ten | 3-3 | 0-0 | 3-3 | 0-0 | 22 |
| 26 | Stanford | 7-4 | ACC | 2-2 | 0-0 | 5-2 | 0-0 | 17 |
Seems we'd have moved up a bit more with the convincing road win at Louisville. But it barely registered with Louisville still ahead of us. Guess it will be hard to overcome those 2 painful home losses. Oh well, just going to have to keep steamrolling teams the rest of the way.
Louisville losses:
- #1 NW
- #6 Iowa
- #58 UC Davis
- #12 UNC
UNC losses:
- #22 Mich
- #6 Iowa
- #31 ODU
- #14 UVA
Pretty close but we have one more loss outside the top 20 and they have one more win inside the top 20.
Cal has lost to both us and Louisville, and NW, but is hanging on with no bad losses and the recent UVA win.
Right now on paper UNC, UVA, Cal and 'ville are in a dog fight for the last one or two NCAA at-large spots, but of course there are is still many more games coming up, about 7 each plus the ACCT.
Our remaining schedule with RPI rankings:
Date / rank / Opponent/ Location / Time
| 10/9/2026 | 27 | at Saint Joseph's | Philadelphia, PA | 3:00 P.M. ET |
| 10/11/2026 | 18 | at Liberty | Lynchburg, VA | 1:00 P.M. ET |
| 10/16/2026 | 23 | Boston College | Chapel Hill, N.C. | 6:00 P.M. ET |
| 10/18/2026 | 19 | Syracuse | Chapel Hill, N.C. | 2:00 P.M. ET |
| 10/23/2026 | 8 | Wake Forest | Chapel Hill, NC | 6:00 P.M. ET |
| 10/25/2026 | 47 | at App State | Boone, NC | 1:00 P.M. ET |
| 10/30/2026 | 5 | at Duke | Durham, N.C. | 6:00 P.M. ET |
Plus the ACCT.
There is still plenty of time to guarantee an at-large bid if we run the table. We are likely safe with one loss. Lose two and we are maybe still on the bubble. Lose three and we are perhaps looking at the ACCT for a shot.
On the bright side, we still control our own destiny in winning the ACC regular season:
Don’t we have the same amount of wins in the top 20 as Louisville? Since we also beat Louisville.
You are correct; I forgot to list Louisville. So we are separated by the average ranking of our 4 losses each only.
Our average loss ranking is 18.25 vs Louisville’s 19.25, do you know if RPI also takes into account # of wins?
They’re played more games, so they have more.
We just have to keep wining, one game at our time.
Great discussion, thanks I was wondering about this. Like others have said, we’re in a precarious position today but none of us are too worried. We’ve been basically crushing teams which portends at least an average UNC team which means the most likely outcome is we lose one more regular season game. We’re so spoiled. Or not, I don’t know, it’s definitely some pressure for the staff. Crazy that the “crushing teams” started from a court decision. Strange days.
It is beyond obvious that UNC is a much stronger team now than at beginning of season because of availability of players. This kind of thing is routinely considered by selection committees come NCAA tourney time. We may be underseeded a bit, but we will be in tournament and No One will want to play us.
The crazy thing is, I swear the entire team is playing significantly better on possession; not just the three additions. So many fewer unforced turnovers and passes are more crisp and purposeful.
Agree.
They are having fun.
They have known from practices what the full compliment of players are capable of and just the opposite without them.
IMO, of course.
They are having fun.
They have known from practices what the full compliment of players are capable of and just the opposite without them.
IMO, of course.
Agree. Takes the pressure off the inexperienced/younger girls. The mental game is half the battle.
I noticed it too. So much more confidence and suddenness with decisions and passing overall. Rayram is right. Nobody will want to see UNC in their bracket.
At the beginning of the year it seemed like we were going backwards more than forward. Now they are beginning to press forward and pressure the defense. Good to see needless to say.
Very short wish list:
01. Dani returns to form.
02. The emergence of Cecily Moorhead.
01. Dani returns to form.
02. The emergence of Cecily Moorhead.
This week's NFHCA Coaches Poll is out:
| Rank | Institution | Record | Points (First place votes) | Previous Ranking | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwestern University | 12-0 | 220 (11) | 1 | ― |
| 2 | University of Maryland | 11-0 | 209 (0) | 2 | ― |
| 3 | Duke University | 9-2 | 190 (0) | 3 | ― |
| 4 | University of Connecticut | 9-1 | 182 (0) | 7 | ▲3 |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts | 11-1 | 167 (0) | 3 | ▼2 |
| 6 | University of Iowa | 11-1 | 163 (0) | 6 | ― |
| 7 | Harvard University | 8-1 | 162 (0) | 8 | ▲1 |
| 8 | Wake Forest University | 7-4 | 152 (0) | 5 | ▼3 |
| 9 | University of North Carolina | 6-4 | 127 (0) | 12 | ▲3 |
| 10 | Princeton University | 6-4 | 122 (0) | 10 | ― |
| 11 | Syracuse University | 6-3 | 110 (0) | 9 | ▼2 |
| 12 | Indiana University | 8-3 | 95 (0) | 13 | ▲1 |
| 13 | Miami University | 7-4 | 84 (0) | 14 | ▲1 |
| 14 | University of California | 7-3 | 68 (0) | 20 | ▲6 |
| 15 | University of Virginia | 6-4 | 62 (0) | 11 | ▼4 |
| 16 | University of Louisville | 8-4 | 53 (0) | 16 | ― |
| 17 | Liberty University | 7-4 | 50 (0) | 17 | ― |
| 18 | Monmouth University | 8-2 | 24 (0) | 18 | ― |
| 19 | University of Michigan | 5-5 | 23 (0) | 15 | ▼4 |
| 20 | Lafayette College | 9-2 | 16 (0) | 19 | ▼1 |
The Indiana court case (Daley v NCAA; the one that our three 5th year seniors are a part of) cleared another legal hurdle on Monday:
On October 5, 2026, Monroe County Circuit Court Special Judge Kara E. Krothe denied the NCAA's motion to stay the preliminary injunction. [1]
Key Takeaways from the October 5th Ruling:
What Happens Next?
While the trial court blocked the NCAA's attempt to halt the injunction, the battle has shifted entirely to the state appellate courts. The NCAA has a parallel emergency stay request pending before the Indiana Court of Appeals. The Daley plaintiff group has until October 8, 2026, to file their formal response to that appellate motion, which will ultimately determine if their eligibility carries through the rest of the season.
(summary provided by AI and I have not fact-checked it.)
On October 5, 2026, Monroe County Circuit Court Special Judge Kara E. Krothe denied the NCAA's motion to stay the preliminary injunction. [1]
Key Takeaways from the October 5th Ruling:
- Injunction Remains Active: By rejecting the NCAA’s request, Judge Krothe ensured that the preliminary injunction protecting the 97 student-athlete plaintiffs remains fully operative.
- Continued Eligibility: Because the stay was denied at the trial court level, players like Stephen Daley, Kellan Wyatt, and Sam Alexis maintain their active competition status and remain eligible to play.
- The NCAA's Failed Argument: In her decision, Judge Krothe found that the NCAA failed to meet the legal burden of showing a likelihood of success on the merits or that irreparable harm would occur without a stay.
What Happens Next?
While the trial court blocked the NCAA's attempt to halt the injunction, the battle has shifted entirely to the state appellate courts. The NCAA has a parallel emergency stay request pending before the Indiana Court of Appeals. The Daley plaintiff group has until October 8, 2026, to file their formal response to that appellate motion, which will ultimately determine if their eligibility carries through the rest of the season.
(summary provided by AI and I have not fact-checked it.)
Though I agree to an extent that Dani has not been playing like last years self, it’s still a relief to have her out there. I think she’s more worried about getting others involved etc. Cecily is knocking on the door on breaking out (in my opinion).
I more so am looking at Reese. I was hopeful to see significant growth to her game this season… I am confident Dani will show up come tourney time/Dook game. She played her best in the ‘big’ games.
On Oct 7th, the NFHCA named Saint Joseph's GK Avianna Wagner the national Defensive
Player of the week.
Last weekend against host Duke, she stopped 8 shots including a penalty stroke.
Duke won in OT.
Here's hoping the Heels light up the scoreboard against the Hawks Friday afternoon at 3pm.
Player of the week.
Last weekend against host Duke, she stopped 8 shots including a penalty stroke.
Duke won in OT.
Here's hoping the Heels light up the scoreboard against the Hawks Friday afternoon at 3pm.
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I am so happy for her too. She has put in the work and it is now paying off.
A SJ goalie having an epic performance gives me terrible flashbacks.
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