Women's field hockey eyeing national championship

The upperclassmen of the North Carolina field hockey team already laid claim to history.

Only two seasons ago, they became members of the only undefeated championship team in NCAA field hockey history.

What could inspire excitement after reaching the pinnacle of perfection?

“The seniors come together,” Illse Davids said. “We talk about how we’re getting goosebumps for this season.”

And with good reason.

The team graduated only two players and boasts the largest squad in the program’s history with a roster of 29 members.

But even the 10 players that will catch their first glimpses of action are overshadowed by the five that will see their last.

“It helps to have players who have won a championship,” Shelton said. “Those players have matured since then, and there is no substitute for senior leadership.”

This season hails the return of senior — and last year’s leading scorer — Dani Forword, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear midway through last season.

The team finished 14-6 and ended its season with a first-round loss in the NCAA tournament.

“We’ve been through a lot over the past three years,” Davids said. “Whatever comes at us, we know how to handle it.”

This season, UNC placed a league-high three players on the 11-member preseason All-ACC team.

Four players also return from representing the United States in the Junior World Cup.

Elizabeth Drazdowski, Katelyn Falgowski, Jackie Kintzer and Kelsey Kolojejchick were selected for the 18-player team that finished eighth.

The senior core echoes the veteran-led undefeated squad of 2007. And while the team has not set any season goals, Forword said that expectations are understood.

“I don’t want to chance anything by saying it,” she said. “But I think we all know we have the chance to go all the way.”

The seniors aren’t the only ones setting the tone, though.

“Obviously we all want to win the national championship,” coach Karen Shelton said.

With a 17-game schedule that matches UNC up with formidable in-conference opponents, Shelton is keen to remind the team that desire cannot trump humility.

But the team has never been one to aim low.

“We’re all fighting for that ACC title and that NCAA title,” Davids said.

Their coach doesn’t need reminding, either.

“I see it,” Shelton said. “I see it from Dani. From Illse. All the seniors. They are very, very hungry.”


Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.