University of North Carolina coach Erin Matson released a statement on social media Thursday night about being denied a spot in Olympic tryouts, saying she has moved on but that change in U.S. field hockey is “necessary.” Ta.
“I've had great pride in representing the United States many times since I was 13 years old,” said the 24-year-old from Chadds Ford, whose Tar Heels won the NCAA title last November in his first year. Matson wrote. “I hope to do it again in the future.”
Matson, a four-time NCAA champion at UNC, applied for a tryout in February to try out for a spot on Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although she met all the criteria in the selection process policy of the U.S. Field Hockey Bylaws, she said she was told she was ineligible.
» READ MORE: Chadds Ford's Erin Mattson still hopes to become an Olympian, but she's 'living the dream' as UNC coach
Matson said the U.S. Field Hockey Administration did not specify the reason, but he received an email last week asking him to travel to Charlotte to discuss participation in the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That's what it means.
“After the Paris Games, there will be plenty of time to talk about my commitments for 2026 and 2028,” Matson wrote. “And I look forward to having that discussion.
“I believe change is needed in American field hockey. In order to succeed on the world stage, we need to focus on drafting the strongest roster possible.”
USA Field Hockey released the following statement to ABC11 in Raleigh, North Carolina: “At this time, USA Field Hockey will decline to comment further. The talented staff of the U.S. Women's National Team previously requested that Erin meet with her in Charlotte and is awaiting a response.”