Four years in a row the North Carolina field hockey team has been to the national championship. And three years in a row the Tar Heels have come up short. But this year, UNC is determined to not let its past affect the future.
“It’s not hanging over us, but it is in the back of everyone’s head,” junior forward Charlotte Craddock said. “We never want to lose a game and unfortunately we lost the last game last year, so we’ll try not to let that happen again this season.”
After the 2012 season, the Tar Heels lost nine players, including three of their top five scorers. But a new year brings new faces, and UNC is faced with the task of filling the void its veteran players left with 10 freshmen — seven true and three redshirts.
Though a less experienced team might be unsettling to some, redshirt senior Meghan Drake actually prefers it.
“It’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks,” Drake said.
In addition to the 10 freshmen joining the ranks, North Carolina adds two international players for a total of six on the roster — something coach Karen Shelton believes will benefit the team in many ways.
Shelton said overseas field hockey is more akin to soccer and basketball in the United States, with players being exposed to the game at a young age — most American girls don’t pick up the game until junior high.
The coach of 33 years believes the experience and leadership international players bring are fundamental to a successful team.
“Every top program in the country has their share of international players,” Shelton said. “We’re kind of keeping up with the Joneses there.”
