Chadds Ford native Erin Matson hasn’t given up her plans to get to the Olympics in field hockey.

She just got a little sidetracked, taking on a head field hockey coach position at the University of North Carolina at the age of 23.  She’s one of the youngest Division I coaches in history.

Now 24, she wanted to make a push for a tryout spot with the Olympic team, writes Isabella Diamore for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The timing seemed right. Team USA clinched a spot in the 2024 Paris Games, and Matson’s Tar Heels team won the NCAA title last November in her first season as head coach.

To help get back into the game as a competitor, Matson played in the Indoor Pan American Cup from March 19-22 in Calgary.

“Part of playing in the indoor Pan Am Cup was to give [USA Field Hockey] an opportunity to see me play again,” said Matson, a graduate of Unionville High School.

Even though it was a great opportunity, USA Field Hockey chose not to let her try out. 

“I’m thankful for my athletic director, my staff, and my team for being so supportive,” she said.

Read more about Erin Matson’s field hockey career in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on DELCO Today in April 2024.