University of North Carolina Athletics
The Tar Heels practiced Thursday morning at a chilly Trager Stadium.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Tar Heels Enjoying Return Trip To Louisville
November 16, 2017 | Field Hockey
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two weeks after winning the 2017 Atlantic Coast Conference championship at the University of Louisville's Trager Stadium, the North Carolina field hockey team is back on familiar turf to play for another title. The fourth-ranked Tar Heels will take on undefeated Connecticut, the top-seeded team in the NCAA Tournament field, on Friday at 2 p.m. in the first NCAA semifinal game. Michigan and Maryland meet in the other, and the winners face off Sunday for the national championship.
UNC (18-4) is in the NCAA final four for the 22nd time in program history and the ninth year in a row, which means the Tar Heels' only senior, Gab Major, is enjoying her fourth trip.
"It's really been special to get to go to the final four every year," said Major, a team co-captain who is majoring in exercise and sport science. "Obviously the first three, we have haven't had the outcome we wanted, so I'm really excited to have another chance. This never gets old – it's a different team every year, and I'm in a different role. It's very exciting to be back."
And we're here! ?? ?? Thanks to @gotolouisville for the warm welcome! #GotoLouisville #LouisvilleLove #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/JLyOyyVi1D
— UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 15, 2017
UNC arrived in Louisville late Wednesday afternoon via a charter flight from RDU. On Thursday morning, in chilly and overcast weather, the team held a 75-minute practice at Trager Stadium then spent the day at the hotel doing schoolwork and resting. On Thursday night, the final four teams from all three NCAA divisions will gather for the championship banquet at Churchill Downs.
It's that kind of day ????????#NCAAFH #GoHeels pic.twitter.com/F0eIU09mpa
— UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 16, 2017
Friday, the Tar Heels will launch into game day mode, preparing to face the Huskies. The teams last met in the 2016 NCAA semifinals, when UNC won in overtime. They also met in the semifinals in 2013 (UConn won in penalty strokes) and in 2011 (UNC won in double overtime, in a match played in Louisville).
The Tar Heels are part of the NCAA Tournament field for the 15th year in a row and the 34th time overall, more than any other program. UNC has played in more tournament games (Friday's will be the 90th) and won more tournament games (62) than any other school.
Carolina has won the NCAA title six times, most recently in 2009. Since then the Tar Heels have finished as the national runner-up five times.
Almost two weeks ago, on Nov. 5, UNC beat host Louisville in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game to claim its 20th league championship. The Tar Heels played three games at Trager Stadium en route to the title and practiced once, and they're happy to be back.
"Louisville has an outstanding facility and they're great hosts," said UNC coach Karen Shelton, in her 37th season with the Tar Heels. "We're thrilled to be back here and to be a part of the final four. Our kids have worked hard all season and been so resilient, and we're excited about the challenge of playing Connecticut tomorrow."
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