University of North Carolina Athletics
Karen Shelton Comments on Field Hockey Win over Michigan
October 13, 2000 | Field Hockey
Oct. 13, 2000
The third-ranked University of North Carolina field hockey team posted its 14th win of the season Friday afternoon with a 4-0 victory over No. 5 Michigan. It was Carolina's fourth win against a Top 5 opponent this year.
After the game, UNC coach Karen Shelton had the following to say:
On the significance of the 4-0 win over Michigan:
"I thought it was a significant win for us. Michigan would be one of the teams that could potentially knock us from a top four spot, which is what we're working towards. Top four get a home field advantage in the playoffs, and so we felt that if we could win this game, we would solidify our chance to host in the first and second round. It was a very important game for us today along with the fact that it was senior day. It was important for us to play well against a very good team on a special day for our team."
On the importance of the five seniors to the program:
"They have been tremendous, and they are all such unique individuals. All of them are outstanding students. We have two Phi Beta Kappa, all of them are 3.0 or above. One is a biology major, a psychology major, they are very well-rounded student-athletes. They are bright young women and hard-working. They have developed each individually but to significant levels over the course of their careers. They all redshirted their freshman year, they weren't good enough to step on our field. Today, five years later, they are leading our team towards a chance for a national championship. It's very rewarding as a coach to watch that kind of development and I'm incredibly proud of them and the hard work that they've put in to get to that point."
On playing a team of Michigan's caliber twice in the season:
"They are an outstanding team and we try and schedule the best teams that we possibly can. These kinds of games are important for us, it's important for them because they are going to be a tournament team. No matter who wins the game as a result of the score, both teams win in terms of development and what they learn. Michigan is going to be stronger because of what happened today, but I think our team will be stronger as well."
General thoughts on the season thus far:
"It's going very well. I admire our team, I like them all. They have good attitudes, they are hard-working. We are growing and developing every day. I think that they have remained focused and motivated, and it's just been a delight. We're improving, and that's what you want. They are having fun, too, and they are having fun when we're playing all these tough teams, and we've played a heck of a schedule. They love it, and that's a good sign."
