University of North Carolina Athletics
Friday, November 18
Storrs, Conn.
Noon
North Carolina
vs
Penn State (NCAA Semifinals)
The Tar Heels practiced at UConn on Thursday.
Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati
Field Hockey Set For Matchup With Penn State
November 17, 2022 | Field Hockey
STORRS, Conn. – The top-ranked North Carolina field hockey team flew to Connecticut on Wednesday evening, practiced at UConn's Sherman Family Sports Complex Thursday morning and dressed up for the NCAA Championship banquet on Thursday evening.
On Friday, it's finally time to play.
The Tar Heels (19-0) take on No. 6 Penn State Friday at noon in the first of this year's NCAA semifinal games. Maryland and Northwestern face off in the other at 3 p.m. with the winners meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday for the 2022 NCAA Championship.
"Any time you make it to the final four is a celebration of a wonderful year," UNC coach Karen Shelton said as her team left the hotel for Thursday evening's celebration, held on the UConn campus. "To have a banquet again after several years of not having one (because of Covid) is fun for our team and all the participating teams, to have the opportunity dress up and celebrate the season so far. And tomorrow, let the games begin."
UNC is playing in the NCAA semifinals for the 26th time in program history, but returning after missing out on last year's championship weekend following a first-round loss. Prior to that, the Tar Heels had won three titles in a row, in 2018, 2019 and 2020. They've claimed nine overall, tied with Old Dominion for the most in Division I history.
Friday's game is the 29th overall meeting with Penn State but the first since 2008. It's the eighth NCAA Tournament matchup between the two, with the most recent coming in the 2007 NCAA title game in College Park, Md., where Carolina won 3-0.
If the opponent is unfamiliar to this year's squad, the setting is not – UNC is back in Storrs for the second time this season, after playing UConn here in early October and winning 3-0. Thursday's practice was an opportunity to once again test out the turf and get ready for another challenge. Carolina advanced to this point with a pair of wins at home, beating Delaware and Saint Joseph's at Karen Shelton Stadium last weekend.
"I'm excited for our group – we've studied well and prepared well," Shelton said. "Now it's up to us to play the game."
On Friday, it's finally time to play.
The Tar Heels (19-0) take on No. 6 Penn State Friday at noon in the first of this year's NCAA semifinal games. Maryland and Northwestern face off in the other at 3 p.m. with the winners meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday for the 2022 NCAA Championship.
"Any time you make it to the final four is a celebration of a wonderful year," UNC coach Karen Shelton said as her team left the hotel for Thursday evening's celebration, held on the UConn campus. "To have a banquet again after several years of not having one (because of Covid) is fun for our team and all the participating teams, to have the opportunity dress up and celebrate the season so far. And tomorrow, let the games begin."
All dressed up for the NCAA banquet 🤩#GoHeels | #NCAAFH pic.twitter.com/Cz2qtzc2GK
— UNC Field Hockey (@UNCFieldHockey) November 18, 2022
UNC is playing in the NCAA semifinals for the 26th time in program history, but returning after missing out on last year's championship weekend following a first-round loss. Prior to that, the Tar Heels had won three titles in a row, in 2018, 2019 and 2020. They've claimed nine overall, tied with Old Dominion for the most in Division I history.
Friday's game is the 29th overall meeting with Penn State but the first since 2008. It's the eighth NCAA Tournament matchup between the two, with the most recent coming in the 2007 NCAA title game in College Park, Md., where Carolina won 3-0.
If the opponent is unfamiliar to this year's squad, the setting is not – UNC is back in Storrs for the second time this season, after playing UConn here in early October and winning 3-0. Thursday's practice was an opportunity to once again test out the turf and get ready for another challenge. Carolina advanced to this point with a pair of wins at home, beating Delaware and Saint Joseph's at Karen Shelton Stadium last weekend.
"I'm excited for our group – we've studied well and prepared well," Shelton said. "Now it's up to us to play the game."
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