The University of Pennsylvania field hockey team will begin its 2025 season with matches against North Carolina and Old Dominion this weekend in Princeton, New Jersey. The Quakers are set to face No. 2 ranked North Carolina on Friday at 3:30 p.m., followed by a game against Old Dominion on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Friday’s match marks the ninth meeting between Penn and North Carolina, with UNC having won all previous encounters. Last season, the Tar Heels finished just short of an NCAA championship appearance and start this year ranked second in the preseason national coaches’ poll.
On Sunday, Penn will play Old Dominion for only the second time; their last meeting was in 1988 when ODU defeated Penn in the NCAA Tournament semifinals before winning the national title.
This season introduces Scott Tupper as Penn’s new head coach. “The Red and Blue begin a new era with first-year head coach Scott Tupper at the helm.” Tupper previously served four years as an assistant coach at Maryland, where he contributed to four NCAA Championship appearances—including two semifinal runs—and a Big Ten championship.
Penn returns eight players who participated in every game last season. Senior Julia Ryan received second-team All-Ivy honors after leading the team with 18 points and tying for most goals scored (6). Senior Livia Loozen also scored six goals last year, led in shots on goal (19), and had two game-winning goals. Goalkeeper Ruby de Frees started all games last season, making 66 saves. Senior Philine Klas logged the most minutes among field players (992). Junior Sydney Mandato has been named to the 2025 United States National Indoor Field Hockey World Cup roster.
North Carolina comes into this weekend after wins over Michigan and Iowa during the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Dani Mendez, Kara Heck, and Ryleigh Heck each have two goals so far this season for UNC; Mendez also has two assists for six points across two games. Goalkeepers Merritt Skubisz and Katie Wimmer have combined for eleven saves; Wimmer is undefeated with seven saves and no goals allowed in her sixty minutes played. Wimmer was previously recognized as Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year while at Columbia in 2024. Charly Bruder led Division I field hockey in goals per game last year (1.29), while UNC topped national rankings for scoring average (4.05) and scoring margin (3.50).
Old Dominion enters with a record of one win and one loss after falling to VCU but defeating William & Mary decisively last weekend. Josie Painter leads ODU scorers with three goals from two games; Sanci Molkenboer has three assists plus one goal herself. Goalie Suus Broers holds a goals-against average of 1.43 from five saves over two matches played so far this year. The Monarchs ended their previous campaign with an overall record of 11-6, ranking tenth nationally in scoring margin of victory (1.33). Three Monarchs—Broers, Sian Emslie, Serena Langendoen—were named to the NFHCA Watchlist.
For more updates on Penn field hockey throughout the season, fans can follow @PennFieldHockey on X or Instagram or visit PennAthletics.com.
