Rece Verhoff, Ryleigh Heck, Dani Mendez and Sietske Brüning can compete for UNC immediately after an Indiana judge granted a preliminary injunction in their NCAA lawsuit; the order lasts until trial, and the NCAA is expected to appeal.
Verhoff made 11 of 14 field goals from 40 yards or more last season, including a program-record 57-yarder; replacement Aeron Burrell has missed all three of his attempts from that range. Heck and Mendez combined for 34 goals and 29 assists, and Brüning had six assists. Without the three, UNC field hockey is 3-4, already its most losses since 2021.
The ruling was issued Wednesday by Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Kara Krothe. The lawsuit has nearly 100 plaintiffs, and no trial date has been set. Verhoff is likely to return for UNC's Oct. 3 game against No. 3 Notre Dame. The field hockey trio could play at Stanford on Friday, depending on readiness.
