University of North Carolina Athletics
Preseason Q And A With Karen Shelton
August 25, 2006 | Field Hockey
Aug. 25, 2006
Before opening the season against Michigan in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge Aug. 26, UNC coach Karen Shelton chatted with TarHeelBlue.com about her squad and the upcoming campaign.
THB: As you wrap up the preseason, what are your thoughts on your team?
Karen Shelton: "I like this team very much. They're hard workers and they're disciplined. We're far from where we need to be, but what I like about them is they're a little more deliberate in their thought processes as it relates to the game. They think abut things to a higher degree than some of my other teams, especially this early in the year.
"So, I've been very pleased. I think they're all working hard, their attitudes are terrific, and I just couldn't be happier with the preseason practices we've had."
THB: What are the areas in which the team most needs improvement?
Shelton: "Our scrimmage at Maryland last week pointed out the fact that we need to be more disciplined defensively. I felt like it was a great scrimmage - we lost 3-2, but we lost it on defense. We've made some changes defensively and if we continue to develop as a unit and take more pride in owning that defensive 25, then I think we're going to be all right. As is my philosophy on coaching, we start with the defense and work forward."
THB: After having a senior All-America Katy Tran in goal last year, you're starting a freshman, Brianna O'Donnell. How has she progressed so far?
Shelton: "Bri is very experienced for a freshman goalkeeper. She's not going to start out playing like a senior All-American, but she will develop into a big-time goalkeeper. She's already much farther along than both Katy and Amy Tran were at this point in time. So if she just competes with confidence and continues to learn to communicate and not let goals against affect her, she's going to be outstanding.
"Along with Illse Davids and Dani Forword, she came to UNC in January, and being here in the spring helped her a great deal. She was able to get on solid ground academically and made the Dean's List. In my opinion, she's not a true freshman, even though on paper she is."
THB: How many other freshmen do you expect to start?
Shelton: "I expect to start four freshmen on Saturday. It's exciting for us because I think we have a good mix of veterans and young players. The four I think we will start on Saturday are very, very skilled and experienced.
"Riley Foster in the backfield has been the biggest surprise for us. Dani Forword and Illse Davids were here in the spring, so we knew they'd contribute right away and be solid players for us. But Riley has been a real surprise and she's going to get better and better. She has speed and acceleration. She's poised and aggressive and reads the game very well."
THB: On the other end of the spectrum, you have a strong group of seniors. What do you expect from them?
Shelton: "We'll look to our seniors for leadership. Karen Mann, Brooke Miller, Ashley Judge and Laree Beans are all part of our leadership group and Brooke and Laree are the captains. The seniors on the field will provide leadership, but we like all our kids to provide leadership and we try to tell the freshmen that on the field everybody is equal and not to feel subservient in any way. They can listen and learn, but they can also provide leadership by example - work hard, hustle back, make big plays, stay in the game mentally."
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THB: One key player you expect to be without is Rachel Dawson, who is a top candidate for the U.S. World Cup team and will take the season away from UNC if she makes the squad. What are your thoughts on her absence?
Shelton: "She has the opportunity of a lifetime playing for the U.S. team. She's thriving and growing in the international environment. She's playing, as I would expect, like a true veteran. She's an anchor of the defense and has been named player of the game in some of the national team's games. We can't help but be incredibly proud of her and we wish her all the best as she helps our team do as well as we can at the World Cup. We look forward to her return."
THB: One of the seniors still here, Laree Beans, also plans to take this season as a redshirt year. How do you think that experience will help her?
Shelton: "Laree has decided to take the year off to continue to develop her skills and grow as a collegiate player, to have the opportunity to spend another year in Chapel Hill with the opportunity to come back and play next season with Rachel, who she came in with as a freshman. It was a difficult decision for Laree, but she's going to assist the team in many other ways. She wants a career in coaching eventually and this will give her an opportunity to participate with the coaching staff and help the younger players, give her a different perspective that will hopefully help her as a student and an athlete, and she'll return for her final year next fall.
THB: Another senior, Karen Mann, returns after taking 2005 off to compete internationally for Canada. What are your expectations of her?
Shelton: "I expect great things from her. She missed a year and feels like she wants to make up for that this year. When it's your last year, you want to make it count. The biggest thing with her will be staying healthy. When you're a competitor and a diver like she is, you can get hurt, but I'd rather have her playing that way."
THB: How do you think this team will handle the season's typically-tough schedule?
Shelton: "Our schedule is always a challenge and this year's is tough, but I'm excited. I think this team will continue to improve and will stay motivated. I think some of that is the disappointing end to last year in the first round of the NCAA Tournament - that has provided us great motivation. We'll benefit from the energy we get from these young players who are contributing for us. We've got no superstars, we've just got a good team that's together and hungry. They're cerebral, hard-working, they have good attitudes and they truly love the University of North Carolina. What I expect from them is to work hard, have a good attitude and keep trying to get better."
