UNC Looks to Change Luck In Field Hockey Tourney

It is the ACC field hockey tournament, and one of three evenly matched teams -- North Carolina, Maryland and Wake Forest -- is likely to capture the tournament crown.

"I feel that all the teams are so strong athletically that the conference is piled up," said Maryland coach Missy Meharg. "I think the tournament is open for anybody to take."

From 1983 to 1996, the Tar Heels breezed through the ACC tourney, winning 13 conference titles.

But since 1997, the ACC Tournament has been a nightmare for No. 3 seeded UNC.

Since that year, the Tar Heels have stumbled in the first round each year, including a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of the Demon Deacons two years ago.

Those same Deacons, who have defeated UNC in five of their last seven meetings, march into Henry Stadium today at 4 p.m.

"(Wake) is very solid fundamentally and they've got some good speed," said UNC coach Karen Shelton.

"But I do feel as if our team is somewhat angry. We are fired up, and we want to beat them."

For UNC to break through against WFU, the defensive backfield must contain the Deacons' front line.

That line includes Jennie Shelton and Heather Aughinbaugh, who scored the two deciding goals against the Tar Heels in their 2-0 win Oct. 6 in Winston-Salem.

Karen Shelton said she was disappointed in North Carolina's control of its defensive circle, a problem that was rectified during the week's practices.

"I think the key is going to be discipline," said North Carolina senior Abby Martin. "I think it is going to be important to have numbers behind the ball, getting everyone back on defense and then having discipline when we are back."

Should the Tar Heels make it to Sunday, they could face No. 1 seed Maryland, a team that edged UNC 1-0 in overtime Oct. 20.

The Terrapins are led by the trio of Colleen Barbieri, Dina Rizzo and Lucy Morris, who have scored 14, 12 and 11 goals respectively in 2001.

Maryland's most significant strength, however, might be its play away from home. The Terps are 2-0 this season in ACC games on the road, and 4-1 overall.

That record might collide with UNC, which has amassed a 24-6 record at Henry Stadium since 1999. Said freshman forward Kelsey Keeran, "(The seniors) were talking about how there is nothing like winning the national championship, but I think winning the ACC championship would be a nice start."

The Sports Editor can be reached at sports@unc.edu.