The North Carolina field hockey team braved last season without captain Kateyln Falgowski, who suffered a head injury in the preseason and never returned in 2010.
This weekend the Tar Heels found out what it was like to have her back.
The No. 2 Tar Heels opened the regular season Saturday against No. 9 Michigan with a 5-0 win in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in Ann Arbor, Mich., and wasted no time putting the ball in the net.
Senior Elizabeth Stephens scored UNC’s first goal of the season four minutes into the first half. She was assisted by Falgowski and junior Katie Ardrey.
“With the first game of the season you always want to be able to make a statement,” Stephens said. “It was a big stepping-stone for the team.”
Coach Karen Shelton was delighted to once again have Falgowski, who has appeared in more than 91 games for the U.S. National Team.
“Her experience, calm, poise and expertise on the field is invaluable,” Shelton said. “It was nice to have an opening weekend where she played so well.”
The Tar Heels scored four goals in the first 35 minutes to notch the shutout against Michigan, and UNC was fueled by strong goalkeeping from sophomore Caitlin Powers in the first half and freshman Sassi Ammer in the second.
Shelton has yet to make a decision on a starting goalkeeper, but said she’s pleased to have two goalies on her squad capable of shutting out opponents.
