Carolina Field Hockey 2026 Newcomers
Article by: Jeff Blackwood
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Carolina will have a handful of new faces to work into the lineup in 2026, with a talented freshman class that is MAX Field Hockey’s No. 2-ranked recruiting class, joined by a transfer who brings college experience to Chapel Hill. The newcomers come from a variety of backgrounds, from some of the nation’s top high school and club programs to international competition overseas. Together, they give Coach Erin Matson more depth and options across the field as the Tar Heels reload for another run at the ACC and NCAA championships. For a program accustomed to competing for titles, the opportunity is there for several of Carolina’s newest players to find a role right away.
The Freshmen
Devon Anderson | Defender
Rye, NY | Greenwich Country Day | AGH
Devon Anderson’s path to Carolina is a little different from most players in the class. The Rye, New York, native didn’t begin playing field hockey until her freshman year at Greenwich Country Day, but quickly developed into one of the school’s top players. Anderson played club hockey for AGH and earned first-team All-FAA and All-NEPSAC honors in 2024 while serving as a team captain during her final two seasons. Her size, athleticism, and rapid development make her an intriguing addition to the Tar Heels’ back line.
*Photo Courtesy of UNC Athletics
Sofia Ferri | Midfielder/Defender
Phoenixville, PA | The Hill School | WC Eagles
Sofia Ferri comes to Chapel Hill with plenty of experience at the national and international levels. The Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, native starred at The Hill School and played club hockey for WC Eagles, helping Hill win Pennsylvania state championships in 2022 and 2024. A first-team All-American and top-10 recruit in the 2026 class according to MAX Field Hockey, Ferri has also represented the United States in international competition and earned a silver medal at the Junior Pan American Games. She can play in the midfield or along the back line, giving Carolina some flexibility in finding a role for her.
*Photo Courtesy of UNC Athletics
Cecily Moorhead | Forward
Wimbledon, England | Wellington College | Surbiton HC
Cecily Moorhead brings another scoring threat to a Carolina attack that will feature several new faces this season. The Wimbledon, England, native played at Wellington College and for Surbiton Hockey Club, helping Wellington win the 2023-24 National Schools Championship before Surbiton finished runner-up in the 2024-25 National Tier 1 Championship. Moorhead was a five-time age-group player of the year and has represented England at the youth international level, including time with the U18 national team. She arrives in Chapel Hill accustomed to playing against strong competition and should add another option around the cage.
*Photo Courtesy of UNC Athletics
Molly Nussbaumer | Midfielder
Chapel Hill, NC | Cardinal Gibbons | Bull City
Molly Nussbaumer won’t have far to go for her college career. The Chapel Hill native starred at Cardinal Gibbons and played club hockey for Bull City, building a résumé that includes three North Carolina state championships, two All-State selections, and four All-Conference honors. She capped her high school career by earning Offensive Player of the Year honors and also won gold at the U21 Nexus Championships. Nussbaumer has already crossed paths with several Tar Heels through the U.S. national-team pipeline, so there should be plenty of familiarity when she steps onto the field at Karen Shelton Stadium.
*Photo Courtesy of UNC Athletics
Morgan O’ Donnell | Defender
Lincoln University, PA | Avon Grove | WC Eagles
Morgan O'Donnell arrives as one of the headliners of Carolina’s freshman class. The Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, native played at Avon Grove and for WC Eagles, winning four National Club Championships during her time with the program. MAX Field Hockey rated O'Donnell as a top-10 player nationally in the 2026 class and the No. 1 defender in the group. She also has experience with the U.S. U16 and U18 national teams. O'Donnell has spent much of her career playing against elite competition, which should put her in a position to challenge for time on the back line early in her Carolina career.
*Photo Courtesy of Morgan O'Donnell Instagram
Imme De Leeuw | Midfielder/Defender
Amsterdam, Netherlands | Pinoké
Imme de Leeuw is another newcomer who arrives with considerable experience outside the United States. The Amsterdam native developed with Pinoké and has worked her way through the Dutch youth national-team system. She captained the Netherlands U18 team to the 2026 8 Nations Championship before making the move to Chapel Hill. Comfortable in both midfield and defense, de Leeuw brings the technical background expected from a player raised in the Dutch system and could be used in several spots as Carolina settles on its lineup.
*Photo Courtesy of UNC Athletics
Micky van Vaasbank | Midfielder
Naarden, Netherlands | Gooische
Micky van Baasbank joins fellow Dutch newcomer Imme de Leeuw in Chapel Hill. A native of Naarden, Netherlands, van Baasbank developed with Gooische before beginning her college career at Carolina. Her background in Dutch club hockey should translate well to a Tar Heel program that values quick ball movement and technical play through the midfield. With Carolina replacing several important pieces from last season, van Baasbank will have an opportunity to work her way into the midfield rotation.
The Transfer
Tessa Shahbo | Goalkeeper | Graduate
Surrey, England | Harvard
Tessa Shahbo is the lone transfer among Carolina’s newcomers and arrives with four years of college experience at Harvard. The Surrey, England, native established herself as one of the Ivy League’s better goalkeepers, leading the conference with a 1.01 goals-against average in 2024 and earning honorable mention All-Ivy recognition. Unlike the freshmen in the class, Shahbo already knows what it takes to handle the demands of Division I field hockey. She joins Merritt Skubisz in the goalkeeper room and brings an experienced option to a Carolina team with championship expectations.
Final Thoughts
Carolina’s newcomers won’t all be asked to do the same thing. Some may find their roles sooner than others. The freshmen arrive with impressive backgrounds, while the addition of a transfer brings another player who already knows what the college game demands. There will be an adjustment period, especially for the younger players, but the talent is there for them to contribute early. With the Tar Heels once again aiming for ACC and national championships, this group should have a chance to leave its mark before the season is over.