The topic has been one of great discussion for a number of years, but the Tar Heels are in need of a Final Four appearance. The early recruiting, big names, and big wins just have not produced into late season success. The struggle for North Carolina is not in the early season, but keeping pace throughout the latter stages.
This fall is much different than previous seasons. Some of the most familiar names in Carolina folklore are gone, namely Joey Sankey and Jimmy Bitter, and the returning starting goaltender, who has remaining eligibility, was off the roster during this offseason practice session. What does Carolina return?
Attack
Two-thirds of Carolina’s attack are gone to graduation. Sankey and Bitter seem to have been in Chapel Hill for decades. Sankey’s speed dodges were troublesome to all defenders in the nation and Bitter was the Heel’s leading scorer last season.
Coming back is a seasoned veteran in Luke Goldstock, who neared the half century mark in goals during the 2015 season. Likely joining Goldstock will be senior Steve Pontrello. Pontrello will move down from his midfield position and is a valued weapon on offense. His production will have to increase for the pressure to be off Goldstock entirely.
Two Kellys will have a chance at the remaining stop vacated by graduation, in Patrick and Timmy. Patrick is also a converted midfielder, who has experience at attack previously, and Timmy is an Under Armour All-America selection who has been given the opportunity this fall. Look for another freshmen to get a chance in Alex McGovern who played against Timmy Kelly in the competitive MIAA.
Midfield
Chad Tutton also saw a lot of time during his career in Chapel Hill and his clutch late game heroics will need to be replicated by someone on the current roster. Look for Shane Simpson to continue the tough Canadian presence in the middle of the field. His production dipped last season, but he is still going to be a focal point for the spring success.
Peyton Klawinski, who emerged as a 20 goal scorer last season, and Michael Tagliaferri will be asked to stretch the defense as they ran together with Simpson in the fall on the first line midfield. In Carolina’s end of season loss to Maryland, there was no secondary scoring in the midfield, which needs to be a focus of the fall season for Coach Breschi.
With the additions to the roster in the holding pattern at attack, look for one or two to move into a midfield role with the second midfield. The depth that Carolina has at the position has a lot of unproven scorers, so it will be a battle to see who makes up that second line unit.
Facing off for the Tar Heels will likely be freshman Charlie Kelly, an Under Armour All America selection out of Malvern (PA). His skills were on display this fall at the annual Ohio State scrimmage in Baltimore.
Defense
The hard nosed defense that Carolina employs needs a solid goaltender to keep the team from caving in after teams find cracks. Look at the end of last season’s Notre Dame game to see what happens when an opponent finds weaknesses.
Returning for the Heels are Anthony Pifani and Evan Connell, upperclassmen who can lead the way for new additions to the unit. Coming across the middle through any Tar Heel defense has the potential to leave bruises and to make opponents bleed, so the third addition is going to have to be tough and tenacious.
Freshman Jack Rowlett looks to replace the graduated Ryan Kilpatrick, who had a stellar career in the blue and white. Zach Powers and Matt Shannon, both seniors look to fill any remaining void along the backline.
The question has now come to the goaltending position as Kieran Burke was not on the roster during their annual Fall scrimmage. If he is not going to be an option for the Heels this spring, then the likely netminder will be between Brian Balkam and Eddie Gilman this spring. Balkam got a majority of his experience as the backup to Burke, but Gilman is pushing for his right to start over his classmate.
The Tar Heels are looking to return the program back to Championship Weekend. With a new core of players having to mix with youth and new energy, could this be the right combination to reach this goal? Only time will tell.
