University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels To Take On Ohio
November 8, 2011 | Field Hockey
Nov. 8, 2011
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina is the top seed in the 2011 NCAA Division I Field Hockey Tournament and will open play at home on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. against Ohio. Also playing a first-round game Saturday at Francis E. Henry Stadium are Michigan (14-6) and New Hampshire (17-4). The winners will meet Sunday at 2 p.m. for a spot in the national semifinal.
"We're delighted to be in the tournament and are honored to be the top seed," said UNC coach Karen Shelton, who has led her program to its 28th NCAA tournament berth in her 31st season at Carolina. "We spend the season preparing for this time of year and now we'll put all our efforts into getting ready to play Ohio. We're excited to play on Saturday and we're not looking past that game."
Carolina is 20-1 overall and claimed the Atlantic Coast Conference championship last Sunday to earn a spot in the field. The Tar Heels have won six NCAA titles, most recently in 2009.
The Bobcats (19-4) earned a spot in the NCAA field by winning a play-in game on Tuesday, 2-1 in overtime over Lafayette. UNC and Ohio have never faced each other, but the Tar Heel staff will see a familiar face on the sidelines. Before taking over at OU seven years ago, coach Neil Macmillan spent six years as an assistant coach at Wake Forest, facing the Tar Heels at least twice a year during that time.
Tickets for the games are $5 for adults and $3 for students and will be available at the Henry Stadium entrance on Saturday and Sunday.
NCAA Field Hockey First and Second Rounds
Francis E. Henry Stadium - Chapel Hill, N.C.
Saturday, Nov. 12
11:30 a.m. - North Carolina vs. Ohio
2 p.m. - Michigan vs. New Hampshire
Sunday, Nov. 13
2 p.m. - First round winners
Admission: $5 adults, $3 students
