UNC Field Hockey: Ryleigh Heck Adds To Accolades, Wins Honda Sport Award

The UNC Field Hockey program secured its eleventh National Championship in program history last fall under first-year head coach Erin Matson. One of the key players on the 2023 Tar Heels was sophomore Ryleigh Heck, who scored the game-winning goal.

As a result of her amazing performance throughout the season, Heck has earned National Awards. She was named the 2023 Division I National Player of the Year by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. Most recently, Heck became the sixth UNC Field Hockey player to win be award the 2024 Honda Sport Award for field hockey.

A Tar Heel has won the award nine different times, with former Tar Heel and current UNC Field Hockey coach Erin Matson winning the award three times in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Heck's awards are certainly well-deserved as she led the team in scoring and was also named first-team All-ACC in 2023.

The 2024 Honda Cup will be presented to Heck on June 24th in New Year City on the CBS Sports Network. Her accolades may not stop here, though, as she is now a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year.

Heck being a sophomore is certainly a huge boost to the UNC Field Hockey team as they will have her leading the team on the field for two more years as they will continue to pursue their excellence that was built by Karen Shelton and is now continuing under Erin Matson.

To learn more about the Honda Sports Award please click here.