'Two peas in a pod': How North Carolina field hockey builds success through siblings

By Mary Mac Porter


UNC first-year Ciana Riccardo (8) at the game against UVA on Oct. 11, 2020. Her and her sister, junior Romea Riccardo, have established themselves as an iconic sibling duo in field hockey.Photo credit: Abe Loven

Ciana and Romea Riccardo are used to hearing the phrase, "Oh, that's a Riccardo." In Downingtown, Pennsylvania, having long brown hair and a field hockey stick makes you easily recognizable as a member of the big Riccardo family. The sisters are just two of their eight siblings — and the eldest three all play field hockey at the Division I level.