UNC field hockey starts title defense with a pair of shutouts

The defending champion North Carolina field hockey team started the year by meeting expectations.

The pair of shut-out victories this weekend against Michigan and Iowa was one step in the right direction for the No. 1 Tar Heels.

While UNC coach Karen Shelton said the team’s main goal is to win every game, she added that if the Tar Heel defense reaches its potential, it could break the school’s shut-out record of 16, set in the 2007 national title-winning season.

“We did talk about the challenge of trying to break a shut-out record,” Shelton said. “We got 19 games and we got two down.

“I’d like for this defense and this team to break the record, and if they can defend with passion, I think we got a real good chance to do it.”

Last season, North Carolina blanked opponents 12 times, including nine straight shutouts in the middle of the year.

In the first game of the weekend, the North Carolina defense came close to losing its shutout, as Michigan took eight shots and applied a good amount of pressure, especially in the first half.

The Wolverines’ closest chance came when a shot from the right side got behind goalkeeper Jackie Kintzer and rolled along the goal line before it was safely cleared by the defense.

The defense recovered and stepped up its game against Iowa, limiting the Hawkeyes to only one shot, which came in the last 10 minutes of the game.

Shelton said the defense will be successful this season if it can repeat its performance from Sunday.

“We know we have a great goalie, but I told the girls, ‘Today Jackie would be happy not to have any saves,’” Shelton said. “That’s our goal every game, to protect our goal and our goalkeeper. We have the comfort of knowing that she’s back there, but we don’t want to have to test her if it isn’t necessary.”

Kintzer recorded only three saves in the 130-plus minutes she saw action this week. She was relieved of duty by Caitlin Powers with roughly eight minutes remaining in Sunday’s contest.

Sophomore back Caitlin Van Sickle said the team is trying to get shutouts, but is not worried if they let up a goal.

“It’s not like we’re thinking about a shutout, it’s just in the back of your mind,” Van Sickle said. “You want it to happen, but as long we get the victory that’s pretty much the most important thing.”

The Tar Heels come into the season with high expectations and Van Sickle admitted she is conscious about being the top-ranked team.

“I guess you think about it,” Van Sickle said. “It feels good to be No. 1, but it doesn’t mean that much.”

But midfielder Kelsey Kolojejchick, who scored once in each of the two wins, said she is excited about being the top team.

“I think we want to keep it that way the whole season so it’s more motivation for us to stay on the top,” Kolojejchick said.

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.