University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Receives No. 1 NCAA Seed, Will Host Games This Weekend
November 10, 2014 | Field Hockey
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina is the No. 1 overall seed in the 16-team NCAA Field Hockey Tournament bracket and will host first and second round games on Nov. 15 and 16. The Tar Heels, 17-3, are making the program's 31st appearance in the event's 34 years.
“We're thrilled to be part of the NCAA Tournament field and honored to be the No. 1 seed,” said UNC coach Karen Shelton. “I think this was the most competitive year ever, with the most parity. It was very hard to get an NCAA bid and there are really good teams that didn't get in. We're excited to still be playing, and we're looking forward to our next challenge.”
Games are set for 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, all at Francis E. Henry Stadium. In the first game, UNC will meet the winner of a Wednesday play-in game between Richmond and Liberty. In the second, No. 7 Duke plays No. 10 Northwestern, the Big Ten champion. The winners meet Sunday for a spot in the NCAA Semifinals Nov. 21 in College Park, Md.
Spectators should be aware that parking on Saturday will be limited, as UNC is hosting Pittsburgh in football at 12:30 p.m. Field hockey fans are advised to park in the Manning Lot on Skipper Bowles Drive and take the free shuttle to Henry Stadium. The charge for parking in the Manning Lot will be $10.
For a map, click here.
On Sunday, the Boshamer Lot, across Ridge Rd. from Henry Stadium, is the recommended parking. Fans are advised to be parked by the start of the 2 p.m. field hockey game – after that time, the remainder of the lot will be reserved for parking for the UNC men's basketball game that evening.
Carolina has won six NCAA titles, in 1989, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2007 and 2009. The Tar Heels have reached the final four six times in the past seven years, including 2013, when UNC fell in the national semifinal to eventual-champion Connecticut.
Maryland received the No. 2 seed, Connecticut No. 3 and Syracuse No. 4 and all are hosting first and second-round games. Six of the seven ACC teams received bids, with Duke and UNC in Chapel Hill, Boston College and Syracuse in Syracuse, Louisville in Storrs, Conn., and Wake Forest in College Park.
For more on the bracket from NCAA.com, click here.
