May 14, 2002

CHAPEL HILL, N.C.--The University of North Carolina field hockey team will open the 2002 season against the defending NCAA champion and go on to play a challenging slate typical of the Tar Heel program. Carolina will play at least 17 games against teams that were ranked among the nation's top 17 teams in the final poll of the 2001 season.

"I'm happy with the schedule, and I think it will be a great challenge for us," said UNC coach Karen Shelton, who is heading into her 22nd season at Carolina. "This year's schedule is as tough as usual, maybe more so. We won't get any breaks, and it will be important for our team to come in fit and ready to go."

UNC, which was ranked No. 4 in last year's final poll, will kick off the season Aug. 31 at noon against 2001 champion Michigan in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. Iowa and Wake Forest will meet at 2:30 that afternoon. On Sunday, UNC and Iowa will play at noon, and Wake Forest and Michigan will meet at 2:30. The Tar Heels' schedule includes a total of nine home games.

Duke will host this year's ACC Tournament in Durham, N.C., Nov. 7-10. "I think this year's conference race will be wide open, and I'm excited to have the conference tournament right in our backyard," Shelton said.

The Tar Heels finished the 2001 season 14-7. They graduated four seniors from last year's team, but will return a strong core of veterans, including All-America honorees Carrie Lingo and Amy Tran.

2002 UNC Field Hockey Schedule