Chadds Ford’s Erin Matson put her playing career on hold when she was named the head field hockey coach at the University of North Carolina at 22, writes Isabella DiAmore for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Now that she is 24 and Team USA secured a spot in the 2024 Paris Games, she was hoping to make her wish to become an Olympian true.

Working towards her goal, Matson played in the Indoor Pan American Cup in Calgary.

“Part of playing in the indoor Pan Am Cup was to give [USA Field Hockey] an opportunity to see me play again,” she said. “Unfortunately, USA Field Hockey has chosen not to let me try out.”

Matson received support from the UNC Board of Trustees, who released a statement in support of her Olympic bid.

“Why is US Field Hockey denying the greatest American player in history a chance to compete for a spot on the Olympic team?” wrote UNC Board of Trustees chair John Preyer.

Matson is still hoping that the ruling that prevents her from trying out for the Olympic team will be lifted.

Read more about Erin Matson aspiring to make it on the Team USA for the Olympics in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

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