Field hockey captures perfection

The North Carolina field hockey team finished off the 2007 season with its fifth national championship under coach Karen Shelton with a shutout win against No. 9 Penn State on Nov. 18.

UNC's choking defense left even the strongest opposition helpless, as in an Oct. 20 victory when No. 2 Maryland was held without a shot. Upon the conclusion of the season, the Tar Heels (24-0) have continued to collect accolades. Shelton was inducted into the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Hall of Fame in January, and was also named the association's Coach of the Year.

The team set a school record for shutouts with 16, while tying the record for wins. The squad's 102 goals on the season was also a school record.

"We're absolutely euphoric to have won the national championship," Shelton said Nov. 18. "We started this campaign a long time ago. From the first practice in preseason, to now, I've had a team that's remained remarkably focused and hard-working."

Two days before the showdown with Penn State, the Tar Heels had to beat No. 4 Connecticut, the only team in the final four UNC hadn't met during the season.

The 3-0 victory against Penn State at Maryland's Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex sealed the perfect record. The Tar Heels are only the fifth Division I field hockey team to win it all without losing or tying a game.

"It meant the world because there's always that doubt in your head," senior Rachel Dawson said. "That seed of doubt that says, 'Maybe you're just not able to. Maybe you're just not cut out to do it. Maybe it's just not meant for you.'

"The fact that it did - whew, I'm happy now."

Dawson was at the head of the class this season for UNC. After taking last season off to represent the United States in the World Cup, she tallied a team-high 19 goals, including UNC's second score of the championship game.

The senior took home the 2008 Honda Award as the nation's top collegiate field hockey player. She will hold the honor of being only the third player in program history to have her jersey - No. 9 - retired.

During the offseason, three Tar Heels are playing in the highest stage of international competition: the Olympics.

The USA Field Hockey team is competing in the Olympic Qualifier in Kazan, Russia, to earn a berth in the 2008 Summer Games.

Dawson, with teammates Katelyn Falgowski and Jesse Gey, will join former UNC players Kate Barber, Carrie Lingo and Amy Tran to represent the United States. Altogether, UNC supplies one-third of the 18 active players on the team.

Competition began on April 19 and will finish on the 27th. Falgowski, a freshman, is the youngest player to make the roster and will be the only college student on the team.

Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu