Offense strong in UNC field hockey win

Despite its two top point scorers on the season not having their name appear once on the score sheets this weekend, the No. 2 North Carolina field hockey team showed impressive offensive firepower as they advanced to the NCAA semifinals with two wins.

The Tar Heels are known much more for their defense, as they lead the country allowing an average of only 0.83 goals per game.

But in Saturday’s first-round 3-1 victory against Stanford and its quarterfinal 5-1 defeat of Old Dominion on Sunday, UNC showed that its improving offensive depth might be strong enough to win a title.

Sophomore Kelsey Kolojejchick has led UNC’s offense all year, but in the weekend’s two games the 15-goal scorer failed to register a point.

Eight different Tar Heels had either a goal or assist with the attack led by back Marta Malmberg, who had three goals total, and forward Jaclyn Radvany, who scored the opening goal of each game.

Radvany in particular has stepped up as the season nears a conclusion, becoming a bigger part of UNC’s offensive attack.

“It is the toughest part of the season, and I think I’ve been very inspired by that and I want to be a spark out there,” Radvany said.

Radvany is a tough-nose player, as shown by both her goals coming from hard work right in front of the cage. Her physical play is a key to making the Tar Heels’ offense potent.

“I think it’s my job to get that ball over that line,” Radvany said. “I do feel like I’m a leader, but I think it’s also my job to keep everybody together and focused and get mad and get pissed and get that ball into the net and rile everybody up.”

UNC coach Karen Shelton, who said North Carolina’s offensive depth is very important in the team’s ability to repeat as national champions, was extremely happy with the way Radvany has stepped up as of late.

“I think Jackie played her best game as a Tar Heel today,” Shelton said. “She was just all over the place and very active and making great timing leads in the circle drawing penalty corners for us.”

When the Tar Heels draw corners, a key part of their success relies on the freshman Malmberg. One of UNC’s go-to plays off the corner is having the freshman shoot a drag flick. Her three goals, two coming on Sunday, all came off of penalty corner shots.

While playing as a defender, Malmberg is a key part of the offense — not just on corners, but also by often joining an offensive attack from the right side where she plays.

“I really enjoy being part of the offense,” Malmberg said. “My primary role as (UNC goalie) Jackie (Kintzer) always tells me is to play defense, so that’s always on my mind. But I’m looking for the moment when I can go and help attack and help the team out.”

If the Tar Heels are going to win the national title, they will likely face No. 1 Maryland, whose high-powered offense has handed UNC its only two losses. The defense- oriented UNC will need to score in order to hang with the Terrapins. With more people contributing to the offense, North Carolina might have the fire power to take down the top seed.

“The fact that players have proven themselves by scoring points, which sometimes we struggle with, can only give us more confidence,” Shelton said.

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.