July 7, 2008

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Six freshmen will become part of the North Carolina field hockey program this fall, coach Karen Shelton has announced. The newcomers join a group of 17 players returning from the 2007 squad, which won the NCAA and Atlantic Coast Conference championships with an undefeated 24-0 season.

"I'm really excited about this class of freshmen," said Shelton, who is heading into her 28th season in Chapel Hill. "It's a good group of kids, a good group of students. They'll work hard and will have an immediate impact."

The incoming class includes:
Kelsey Brinkman, a midfielder from Worthington, Ohio (Worthington H.S.)
Taryn Gjurich, a forward from Hatfield, Pa. (North Penn H.S.)
Lillie Lingo, a midfielder from Rehoboth Beach, Del. (Cape Henlopen H.S.)
Katie Plyler, a midfielder/forward from Charlotte, N.C. (Charlotte Country Day)
Caitlin Van Sickle, a back from Wilmington, Del. (Tower Hill)
Charlotte Verstraten, a forward from Berg En Dal, the Netherlands (Canisius College)

Brinkman was named to the 2007 NFHCA (National Field Hockey Coaches Association) High School All-America Team following her senior season. She and Plyler also earned All-Region honors, Brinkman as a part of the West squad and Plyler for the South. All five U.S. players earned all-state honors in field hockey during their careers. Both Lingo and Van Sickle earned All-America honors in lacrosse as seniors.

Lingo is the younger sister of Carrie Lingo, who earned All-America honors as a Tar Heel field hockey player from 1999-2001 and will play for the U.S. Olympic team in Beijing in August.

Verstraten will be the third Dutch player on the UNC roster, joining senior Britt van Beek and sophomore Kiki Norbruis.

The Tar Heels open the 2008 season on Aug. 30 against Michigan as part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge in Winston-Salem, N.C. The home season begins on Sept. 7 when Georgetown visits Francis E. Henry Stadium.