Craddock leads UNC field hockey to two weekend wins

The No. 1 North Carolina field hockey team swept both its weekend opponents despite tougher competition, and this time coach Karen Shelton added a new weapon to her arsenal — sophomore forward Charlotte Craddock.

In her first game for the Tar Heels, Craddock sliced up the Old Dominion defense. Though she only scored one goal in the 3-2 win, her presence elevated the game in every aspect.

“She’s a very mature player, and she makes those around her better,” Shelton said. “She has a great hockey IQ — she’s smart with the ball, she makes intelligent passes. And she’s incredibly fast and skillful. She brings a great deal to the team.”

Three of Craddock’s five shots from Friday’s win were on cage.

Her lone goal came midway through the second half, but she nearly tallied her first UNC score in the first half.

“It was just nice to get the goal,” Craddock said. “It was pretty bad goalkeeping, but (the goal) was similar to the one that I missed in the first half. It was probably harder to score. I missed the easier one.”

Craddock followed her solid debut game with an impressive follow up performance at Wake Forest on Sunday.

She scored both goals in UNC’s 2-1 win against the Demon Deacons.

Feeding off momentum from Friday’s game, Craddock scored twice in the first 17 minutes.

She was even more offensively efficient against Wake Forest than against ODU.

Craddock took five shots, with four of them on target.

“Her first goal, she carried it to the left-hand side, Kelsey Kolojejchick gave her a great pass, and she was able to work into the circle and score on a great backhand,” Shelton said. “Her second goal was kind of a give-and-go corner option, and again, those two connected.”

The Wolverhampton, England native sat out the first six games to clear up an NCAA eligibility issue.

Prior to playing at UNC, Craddock was a member of England’s national team and signed a stick sponsorship contract.

To be eligible to play for an NCAA program, Craddock had to sit out for six games and repay the money from the contract.

Now that she has completed all eligibility requirements, Craddock is a force to be reckoned with for the Tar Heels.

“She definitely adds a spark,” sophomore back Samantha Travers said. “She comes in and she’s got great hand skills.

Contact the desk editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.