University of North Carolina Athletics
Carolina Ready To Wrap Up Successful Spring
April 12, 2011 | Field Hockey
April 12, 2011
The North Carolina field hockey team will wrap up its spring season this weekend, hosting Appalachian State and Wake Forest on Saturday at Francis E. Henry Stadium. The annual Carolina Alumni game is scheduled for Sunday at noon, also at Henry Stadium.
On Saturday, UNC and Wake will face off at 10 a.m. Following that game, Wake and Appalachian State will play. UNC and ASU will meet in the third game of the day.
After finishing as the NCAA runner-up in 2010, the squad has used the spring practice season to work toward 2011. "We always use the spring to raise the level of play," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. "We use it to develop individuals in an overall sense, offensively and defensively, and I think we've made really good progress this spring.
"We've been outside a lot, and the competition has been good. We had some kids travel on the Under-21 tour, which was great for them, and we had to play without them for a while, which provides opportunity for others to step up. Overall, I'm pleased with the spring and look forward to the final games."
Rising juniors Kelsey Kolojejchick and Caitlin Van Sickle and rising sophomore Marta Malmberg traveled to Europe with the U.S Under-21 team in March, playing a series of games teams from Ireland and Germany. The squad, of which Kolojejchick served as a captain, finished 2-1-2, with the wins coming in the final two games.
"They were able to gain more international experience by traveling abroad and representing their country, which gives a great sense of pride," Shelton said. "It's also great personal development. For those who aspire to make the national team, it gives them a chance to be a leader at the junior level. I think our Tar Heels were very well-represented in that element."
All three players earned All-America honors last season, with Kolojejchick and Van Sickle on the first team and Malmberg on the third. UNC's other first-team selection, goalkeeper Jackie Kintzer, is among four seniors who have departed. In addition to Kintzer, the 2010 seniors were Elizabeth Drazdowski, Louise McNutt and Jen Slocum.
A new addition to the 2011 squad is assistant coach Guy Cathro, who came to UNC from Syracuse in January.
