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ACC Field Hockey Weekly Release
- 2024 NCAA Tournament Bracket
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – As excitement builds around the Atlantic Coast Conference, five powerhouse programs are gearing up for the anticipated 2024 NCAA Field Hockey Championship. The ACC proudly boasts an impressive track record, having claimed an astonishing 16 national championships out of the last 22, with North Carolina currently celebrated as the reigning back-to-back national champions.
This year’s NCAA Tournament marks a remarkable 11th time in 12 seasons that at least four teams from the ACC have secured postseason bids. The conference leads the nation again with five teams making the cut for this season’s tournament, underscoring its dominance in collegiate field hockey.
North Carolina has earned the coveted No. 1 overall seed and will host first and second round matchups this weekend at their home facility. On Friday, November 8, the Tar Heels clinched their 27th ACC Championship title, marking their eighth consecutive championship triumph. They will face Delaware in their opening round clash on Friday, November 15, at 11 a.m. ET. In another local matchup, Duke is set to take a short journey to Chapel Hill to square off against Maryland at 1:30 p.m. ET. The victors of these encounters will meet in a thrilling showdown on Sunday, November 17, at noon ET.
Virginia, which secured a fourth-place finish in the ACC regular-season standings, is heading to Evanston, Illinois, for its first round battle. The Cavaliers will take on Big Ten champion Michigan on Friday at 3:30 p.m. ET, vying for the opportunity to continue their tournament run. The winner of this match-up will face the victor of the clash between No. 2 seed Northwestern and Miami (Ohio) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Meanwhile, Syracuse, having earned the No. 5 seed in the ACC Championship, will travel to Storrs, Connecticut, to face Harvard in their opening round game. The winner of the Orange vs. Crimson match will advance to meet the winner of the contest between No. 3 seed UConn and UMass on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
Boston College, the runner-up in the ACC Championship, will venture to Merion Station, Pennsylvania, for its NCAA Tournament debut. The Eagles will go head-to-head with Princeton in the first round, which is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on Friday. The triumph for that contest will lead to a face-off against the winner of the forthcoming battle between No. 4 seed Saint Joseph’s and Lafayette on Sunday at noon ET.
Friday, November 15 | NCAA Tournament First Round
#1 North Carolina vs. Delaware | 11 a.m. | ESPN+
Princeton vs. Boston College | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Duke vs. Maryland | 1:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Syracuse vs. Harvard | 2:30 p.m. | ESPN+
Michigan vs. Virginia | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN+
All times are Eastern Time.
Noting ACC Field Hockey
- The ACC has reached a record total of 23 NCAA Field Hockey Championships, which includes 16 of the last 22 titles, following North Carolina’s remarkable achievement in 2023.
- Achieving five slots in the 2024 tournament, ACC teams have consistently attained at least four NCAA bids in 10 of the last 11 seasons, highlighting the conference’s consistent excellence.
- In a demonstration of unparalleled strength, the ACC has secured a spot for at least one team in the title game for 23 of the last 25 NCAA Championships – a remarkable statistic in 31 of the last 34 years.
- During the ACC’s first 43 years of competition in NCAA Field Hockey, member teams have participated in more than half of the national title game appearances, with an impressive total of 44 out of 86.
- North Carolina triumphed in its 11th NCAA championship with a nail-biting 2-1 double-overtime shootout victory over Northwestern in 2023. The Tar Heels’ 11 titles represent the most in the history of NCAA field hockey.
- North Carolina continued its impressive streak by claiming its eighth consecutive ACC Championship and ninth title in the last 10 tournaments, showcasing their dominance in the league with 27 total ACC titles.
- The five ACC teams selected for the NCAA Tournament are all currently ranked in the NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll, highlighting their prominence; they include No. 1 North Carolina, No. 7 Boston College, No. 8 Virginia, No. 9 Duke, and No. 11 Syracuse.
- For the third consecutive year, North Carolina holds the title of top overall seed in the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament. Their aim is to defend their championship and secure an unprecedented sixth national championship in just seven seasons.
- The Tar Heels earned their place in the NCAA Tournament by defeating Boston College decisively with a score of 4-1 in the ACC Field Hockey Championship Game. They will be making a historic 41st appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
- Duke is set to travel to Chapel Hill for their opening bout against Maryland, marking their 20th appearance in the NCAA tournament.
- Boston College will compete against Princeton in Merion Station, Pennsylvania, kicking off their NCAA Tournament journey. The Eagles will be making their 13th appearance in the tournament, their first since 2019.
- Syracuse will face off against Harvard in Storrs, Connecticut, for their first-round game, looking to add to their storied legacy with their 18th all-time NCAA Tournament appearance.
- Virginia is headed to Evanston, Illinois, aiming for victory against Michigan. This marks their 26th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament as they seek to build on last year’s national semifinal run.
- The national semifinals are set to be hosted by Michigan on Friday, November 22, followed by the championship final on Sunday, November 24, at Phyllis Ocker Field in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Fans can catch all matches live on ESPN+, while the championship game will be showcased at 1:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
How does North Carolina’s recent success influence the strategies of other ACC teams in the NCAA Tournament?
**Interview with ACC Field Hockey Expert – Dr. Emily Richards**
**Editor:** Good morning, Dr. Richards! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the upcoming NCAA Field Hockey Championship. With five teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference qualifying for this year’s tournament, what does this say about the strength of the ACC in collegiate field hockey?
**Dr. Richards:** Good morning! Thanks for having me. The ACC is undeniably a powerhouse in collegiate field hockey. Securing five spots in this year’s NCAA Tournament is a testament to the level of talent and competition within the conference. It’s impressive that ACC teams have maintained such a consistent presence in the postseason, with at least four teams qualifying in 11 of the last 12 seasons.
**Editor:** Absolutely! North Carolina’s dominance is noteworthy as well, especially after clinching their 27th ACC Championship title recently. How does their recent success impact the perception of ACC teams in the tournament?
**Dr. Richards:** North Carolina’s achievements, including being crowned the reigning back-to-back national champions, elevate the overall perception of the ACC. They serve as a benchmark for excellence. Other teams in the conference, like Duke and Virginia, are looking to capitalize on this strong foundation and learn from the Tar Heels’ success as they embark on their tournament paths.
**Editor:** Speaking of other teams, Virginia’s matchup against Michigan is certainly intriguing. What do you think their prospects are going into that game?
**Dr. Richards:** Virginia has had a solid season, and although they’re up against a formidable Big Ten champion in Michigan, they have the skillset and experience to pull off an upset. In these tournament games, it often comes down to which team can execute under pressure, and Virginia’s ability to adapt will be crucial.
**Editor:** With Syracuse and Boston College also entering the fray, how do you see this tournament shaking out for the ACC?
**Dr. Richards:** I believe the ACC has a strong shot at making a deep run. Syracuse facing Harvard and Boston College going against Princeton are both competitive matchups, but if they can play to their strengths, I can see at least a couple of them advancing. Given the ACC’s historical presence in the championship game, it’s reasonable to anticipate they’ll be well-represented.
**Editor:** Lastly, North Carolina will host the first and second rounds this weekend. What advantage do you think playing at home will give them?
**Dr. Richards:** Home-court advantage is big in any sport. The Tar Heels will have the familiar support of their fans, which can be incredibly motivating. Familiar playing conditions also help them feel more comfortable, and with their recent momentum, I expect they’ll be tough to
