University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Host No. 3 Maryland, No. 7 Michigan
October 20, 2011 | Field Hockey
Oct. 20, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina will play its final home games of the regular season this weekend at Francis E. Henry Stadium, hosting No. 3 Maryland Saturday in the Atlantic Coast Conference finale for both teams and No. 7 Michigan Sunday for Senior Day. Both games are set to begin at 1 p.m. and there is no charge for admission.
Carolina heads into the weekend 15-1 and 4-0 in ACC play. Maryland is 13-2 overall and also is 4-0 in the ACC. Michigan is 11-3 with a game at Michigan State on Friday evening.
The UNC-Maryland battle is a repeat of the past two NCAA title games. The Terrapins won the crown in 2010, beating Carolina 3-2 in double overtime. The Tar Heels were the champs in 2009, scoring with 11 seconds on the clock to top previously-unbeaten Maryland 3-2.
The game will be broadcast by ESPN3. It is a part of the ACC's Sportsmanship Awareness Week.
In addition to being a battle that will decide the ACC regular-season championship and give one team the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament, Saturday's game is UNC's annual Field Hockey Field Day. Fans should plan to arrive early to enjoy inflatable games, cotton candy and other fun activities on the Navy Practice Turf behind the Henry Stands. The field day fun begins at 11 a.m. and will run until game time. After the game, young fans can join the Tar Heels on the field for a clinic.
Sunday's game against Michigan is the final home regular-season contest for UNC's five seniors: Teryn Brill, Meghan Dawson, Katelyn Falgowski, Taryn Gjurich and Elizabeth Stephens. Falgowski is playing as part of the U.S. National Team at the Pan American Games in Mexico, but the other four will be honored in a pregame ceremony.
UNC opened the season against the Wolverines, winning 5-0 in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Aug. 27. This will be Carolina's first meeting with Maryland since the 2010 title game. UNC last beat Maryland in Chapel Hill in 2007 and the Terrapins have won five of the last six matchups at Henry Stadium.
