University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC To Open Season Against Defending Champion
August 28, 2002 | Field Hockey
Aug. 28, 2002
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--The University of North Carolina field hockey team will open the 2002 season Saturday against defending NCAA champion Michigan as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Tar Heels will host the event, which also includes Iowa and Wake Forest, at Francis E. Henry Stadium.
Saturday's action pits UNC against Michigan at noon and Wake Forest against Iowa at 2:30 p.m. On Sunday, Carolina will play Iowa at noon and Wake Forest will meet Michigan at 2:30. There is no charge for admission to Henry Stadium.
The meeting with Michigan is a rematch of the final game of the 2001 season for the Tar Heels, who lost 5-2 in Ann Arbor, Mich., in the first round of NCAA Tournament play and finished the season 14-7. But UNC coach Karen Shelton says she won't be thinking about that game on Saturday. "We have a different team, Michigan has a different team," says Shelton, who is heading into her 22nd season at UNC. "I'm disappointed that we didn't play better last year, but that was last year. One of the great things about coaching is that you start over again. What happened last year is over and gone and what we have before us is a tremendous opportunity. That's what we're looking forward to."
Michigan, which went on to beat Maryland in the NCAA championship game and claim its first national title, finished the year with an 18-5 record. The Wolverines are coached by Marcia Pankratz, who is in her seventh season with the program. She is a former Tar Heel assistant coach and was part of the staff when UNC won the first of its four titles, in 1989.
Iowa was 13-5 last season and is coached by Tracey Griesbaum, who is in her third year with the program.
Wake Forest finished last season 16-5, reaching the NCAA semifinal before falling to Maryland. The Demon Deacons are coached by Jennifer Averill, who is in her 11th season with the program. ecause Saturday's games fall during UNC's football opener against Miami (Ohio), spectator parking will not be available near Henry Stadium. Spectators should park in football public parking lots, information on which is available at www.dps.unc.edu. Parking will be available around Henry Stadium for Sunday's games.
The 2002 ACC/Big Ten Challenge marks the first year of a four-year agreement in which the event will rotate between the four schools. Michigan will host the 2003 Challenge, and it will move on to Wake in 2004 and Iowa in 2005.
"We're happy to host the first year of this four-year agreement," Shelton said. "We're thrilled with the quality of competition and the fact that it is a showcase event this early in the season. It's very exciting to start the season with such great games."
