UNC field hockey hosts storied Monarchs program

In her four years on the North Carolina field hockey team, senior captain Katelyn Falgowski has had a lot of experience with the team’s rivalry with Old Dominion.

“I don’t want to say Duke-UNC because that’s huge, but it’s a tough one for us,” she said. “We know we’re getting a great game out of them every time, every year.”

The No. 1 Tar Heels (5-0) will renew this rivalry today at 6 p.m. at Henry Stadium.

Old Dominion (1-5) comes into this year’s battle with a losing record, but all six of their games have been against ranked opponents, including close losses to No. 2 Maryland and No. 3 Virginia.

“They have hard-working teams every year, year in and year out, and they’re never an easy team,” Falgowski said. “Whatever their record says I’m sure that they could have won those games so we can’t take them lightly and we’re ready for a good game.”

Despite a slow start this year, Old Dominion comes in with a legacy unmatched in collegiate women’s field hockey.

Karen Shelton has faced many vaunted Old Dominion teams in her 30 years as UNC’s head coach. Last year, UNC won its sixth championship, leaving the program tied with Maryland for second-most all time. But both programs are looking up to Old Dominion.

“Old Dominion is our biggest rival over the years” Shelton said. “They’ve won nine championships and basically everyone in the country’s chasing Old Dominion.”

The Monarchs haven’t won a championship since 2000, but their teams are always known for their physicality.

“They come in with an intensity level that matches no other team,” Shelton said. “So you have to be ready for them and if you’re not, then you’re going to lose the game.”

Falgowski knows that a matchup with Old Dominion means a physical game.

“ODU is that tough team that always plays their hardest,” Falgowski said. “They have very tough girls and the hardest work ethic, and there’s nothing easy.”

Shelton was able to see this year’s ODU team play earlier this season and thought they were a very disciplined and consistent team. Leading the team in scoring is senior midfielder Loran Hatch, who has accounted for four of the Monarchs’ seven goals this season.

Shelton said that for the Tar Heels to be successful, they will need a good start to the game.

“It’s always an intense game and a lot of times it could be who scores the first goal,” Shelton said. “We’d like to start quickly and get up on them early.”

Sophomore Kelsey Kolojejchick is looking forward to the game and ready for a hard-fought matchup.

“I think it’s going to be a ridiculous, unreal, intense game.”

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.