No slowing down for ?eld hockey

By all accounts, the North Carolina field hockey team should be rebuilding.

After losing five starters, including National Player of the Year Katelyn Falgowski, nobody would blame the Tar Heels for stepping back to cement a new foundation of up-and-coming players.

Instead, UNC is making a strong case for another run at a national title, coming in second in ACC and national preseason polls to perennial foe Maryland.

Last season, the Tar Heels’ campaign ended in an all too familiar fashion. After UNC hoisted the national championship trophy high over Maryland in 2009, the Terrapins outlasted the Tar Heels in the 2010 and 2011 title games with overtime wins.

“Coming in second in overtime two years in a row, some programs would really feel good about that, but we feel like we could have done more,” coach Karen Shelton said.

“Again, I like that. I like that we’re a school that’s disappointed if we don’t win a national championship.”

If early season indicators carry any weight, then the competition between the storied programs isn’t cooling off anytime soon.

Leading the charge toward a possible fourth NCAA title game appearance in four years are seniors and preseason All-ACC selections Van Sickle and Kelsey Kolojejchick.

The pair earned first team All-American honors and shared the title of team MVP last season.

The 2011 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Van Sickle, will lead a younger defensive lineup now that defenders Teryn Brill and Meghan Dawson, who started all 25 games last season, have graduated.

After spending time with the U.S. National Team in the spring, Kolojejchick resumes her role as the main source of the Tar Heels’ offensive firepower. The senior midfielder and ACC Offensive Player of the Year led UNC in goals.

The veteran players are not the only ones with the potential to make game-changing contributions.

“I think even though we’re missing some good leaders and older players, the young ones are stepping up, and the talent is really great for our team right now,” Kolojejchick said.

Sophomore Loren Shealy scored two goals in a preseason scrimmage against Wake Forest.

“I felt like we lost five starters from last year’s team, but I thought we’d be rebuilding a little bit,” Shelton said. “The younger kids that were on the team, they’re all improving.”

“I think our core is outstanding. If we can just worry about improving every day, this team is going to be a team to be reckoned with.”

Contact the desk editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.