Twelve out of 144 athletes playing in USA Field Hockey's Senior Nexus Championship this week are on the 2022 UNC field hockey roster.
The Senior NXC, hosted at the Virginia Beach Regional Training Center, is the final stage of the Nexus, USA Field Hockey's Olympic Development Pathway Program. The championship, which begins gameplay on Monday, gives each athlete another opportunity to compete for spots on the 2022-23 U.S. Women’s National Team and Junior USWNT Selection Camps.
Four of the 12 Tar Heels competing — Erin Matson, Romea Riccardo, Meredith Sholder and Paityn Wirth — are seniors. The four juniors competing include Katie Dixon, Ciana Riccardo, Kiersten Thomassey and Mia Leonhardt. Those eight upperclassmen are joined by sophomores Kennedy Cliggett and Kelly Smith, along with first-years Kylie Walbert and Ryleigh Heck. Former UNC player Lauren Moyer is also competing in the championship.
A player from each position on the UNC roster was selected to participate in the championship.
Matson and Sholder, who will both use their fifth year of eligibility to compete this fall, are two of the forwards selected for the Senior NXC.
Matson has had a very accomplished career at UNC, establishing herself as the UNC career leader in goals as well as the ACC leader in goals. The two-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Player of the Year is also a current member U.S. Women's National Team.
Sholder’s selection comes after starting all 20 games last season in midfield, although she’s listed as a forward on the team roster. She was also named to the 2021-22 U.S. National Team, alongside Matson.
Sophomore Cliggett continues to build upon her resume of playing in elite games, as she's a member of the 2021-22 Women's National Indoor Development Team and USA Rise Junior National Team. Cliggett’s versatility helps to maneuver in different areas as a forward and midfielder as she represented the U.S. in Ireland at the 5-Nations Tournament for the U21 team in June.
Junior Leonhardt will be looking forward to picking up her stick this week after missing out on the last collegiate season. The Senior NXC will provide the two-way player with some experience at forward and midfield playing alongside other top athletes before the fall season in August.
