Top-ranked UNC field hockey team to take on Syracuse

Coming off a successful weekend, the newly No. 1 ranked North Carolina field hockey team isn’t letting its early success infiltrate its focus.

The Tar Heels (4-0, 0-0 ACC) will open ACC play against the No. 5 Syracuse Orange (6-0, 0-0 ACC) tonight at 5 p.m. at Francis E. Henry Stadium in Chapel Hill.

“I think this is a levelheaded group, and I think all of us understand it’s a long season, and we’re only four games in,” Coach Karen Shelton said. “It’s not going to our heads or anything, and I think it’s important for us to stay focused and keep not only doing what we’ve been doing that’s been successful, but building on the areas that we’ve shown some weakness in.”

UNC looks to keep up with Syracuse’s fast-paced midfield and offense, a point Shelton and sophomore goalkeeper Shannon Johnson emphasized.

“They have a lot of movement in the midfield, so we definitely have to watch out and make sure all the defenders and midfielders are on their marks,” Johnson said.

Johnson, who has started the last four games, said she won’t know if she or senior goalkeeper Sassi Ammer will start until pre-game Friday.

Against a fast-paced offense, she said as a goalkeeper, it’s important for her to focus on communication.

“If my defenders are all on their marks, that’s more organization and that just makes it easier for everyone,” she said.

Overall, communication is something Shelton said the team needs to improve.

“Our communication is always something that we struggle to do, and it makes a huge difference,” she said. “We have key people that are very, very vocal, but we need the whole team to have the ability to be vocal and either call balls or call direction, and we’re trying to grow in that area.”

UNC and Syracuse are both undefeated and will meet for the eighth time. UNC leads the all-time series 5-2. In the past five games, the teams have alternated wins, with UNC winning the last game in the ACC tournament in November 2013.

“They’re strong. They’re strong up front and they’re strong in the midfield, and I think their goalkeeper’s outstanding,” Shelton said. “They’ve got a lot of talent on their team, so it should be a great match-up between two talented teams.”

Sophomore back Julia Young, who scored her first career goal against Maryland Sept. 5, said Syracuse has several good players UNC will have to pressure.

“They have very good mids and forwards, so definitely, defensively we’re going to have to take care of that,” Young said.

“We have to shut down the key players, and we’ll shut down the whole team.”

sports@dailytarheel.com