Meet UNC: Minerva Cup Champions

Founded in 2010, UNC was unofficial through last season. Said captain Max Miceli, "This year that will not be the case. Our squad is too good and too committed to not try to go for the World Cup." 

Photo by Nicole Harrig

UNC Chapel Hill was expected to do well at the season opening Minerva Cup. When scores started to come in, it was clear that the team was exceeding expectations. Putting up an average of 156 points per game for the tournament, UNC blew past all competition. The finals pitted a WCVI Round of 32 team, VCU, against the Tar Heels. Could the newly official UNC beat a respected VCU squad? Goals from Amit Katyayan and Ed Bartels propelled UNC into a commanding lead and after a few minutes with the snitch on the pitch, Max Miceli sealed the tournament victory with a snatch. Miceli, a team captain, said, "we told (the newer players) that the toughest competition they face is at practice. I'm just not sure they totally believed it until they saw it. Once they went out and started to dominate teams with no problems, they started to realize, "hey, these other schools really can't keep up with us.""

With lots of athleticism and speed, UNC thrived on turnovers, immediately going into the fast break when they recovered the quaffle. With VCU struggling to get back on defense, UNC's chasers broke tackles and dodged bludgers en route to a 200*-30 victory. Although tackling is probably a weakness for UNC, they made up for it with excellent beating and interceptions. As soon as UNC's defense recovered the ball, they shoved it right back in VCU's face on the fast break. With lots of different talent and no positional weaknesses, UNC is a threat to make a run at the Mid Atlantic Regionals and World Cup VII.

Top Players
Max Miceli is the heart of this up and coming Tar Heels team. When UNC decided to stay unofficial for the 2012-13 season, Miceli was recruited by QC Carolinas. A leading scorer for community team last season, Miceli brings valuable experience to Chapel Hill. He understands and utilizes the strategy of spreading the pitch better than any of his teammates. Making sharp cuts to shake off defenders, Miceli likes to drive up the wings. Against VCU in the Minerva Cup Finals, he demonstrated great decision making, as he will not force passes and will go the hoops himself when he has the chance.

Photo by Nicole Harrig

Amit Katyayan and Ed Bartels are right up there with the most fun to watch chasing duos in the IQA. Playing loosely but incredibly focused at the same time, their energy on the pitch translates to their teammates. Katyayan is quick and agile and reminds me a lot of UCLA's Corey Osto, while Bartels is very strong and will run right through anything but the best tackles. Combining for eight goals in the finals, Katyayan and Bartels put on a dazzling display of spinning, juking, breaking tackles and dodging bludgers.

Photo by Nicole Harrig

Defending the point was tall, athletic beater Luke Miller. Miller kept constant pressure against VCU when he was in the game, always rushing the VCU point players into a bad pass or beating them himself. Commanding the pitch and earning the respect of the offense with his cannon of an arm, Miller moved quickly to shut down any opportunities for VCU to score. Miller and the the Tar Heel beaters are vital to UNC's fast break offense. The turnovers they cause lead to goals for Katyayan, Bartels, or Miceli.

Players with Potential
Providing UNC's physicality is new recruit Lee Hodge. In his first tournament, he defended point and proved to be UNC's best tackler. Never shying away from a hit, Hodge trucked defending chasers and exploded off the hits. In space, Hodge is just as dangerous as Katyayan or Bartels. With a mesmerizing stutter step to go with his strength, Hodge will beat any chaser one on one on a fast break. Hodge's finishes are dunks and on his final goal of the day, the hoop just couldn't handle it anymore and broke. As Hodge gains experience, I expect him to be a much bigger part of the gameplan and it will be interesting to see how he is used.

Photo by Nicole Harrig

Identical twin chasers Ally and Courtney Reynolds have a lot of potential. The Reynolds sisters look more comfortable in a traditional half court offense than the high speed attack led by Katyayan and Bartels. From a few plays in the game, I can see that they are able to break tackles, drive and shoot. Either way, Ally and Courtney Reynolds are scrappy and recover missed shots really well. In the fast break style offense, the outlet pass often comes from a Reynolds. Paired with the right male chasers, the Reynolds sisters will give UNC the chance to try out a two male beater set.

Also a new recruit, seeker Alex Crawford is one to look out for. He has all the physical traits of a good seeker, including long arms and quickness. For Crawford to become elite though, he can't spend so much energy trying to get past a defending seeker.

Prediction
From what I saw on video, I don't think UNC can beat the Capitalists right now, but I would say Maryland, Villanova, Penn State and Pitt should be on high upset alert come regionals. I'm confident the Tar Heels can reach a whole new level against one of the Mid Atlantic powerhouses, as teams always seem to up their game against better competition. There is certainly confidence and hunger to face tougher competition in Chapel Hill. If they do find a way to play tougher teams, I think UNC can be this year's Baylor and end the season as a top ten team.

"Last weekend, I heard a couple of my first year players ask one of the other leaders if we were going to get a chance to play Texas this semester," said Miceli. "That's the mentality our players have. They want to play the best, beat the best and be the best. The drive is there, and so is the talent in my opinion. Now it's just about execution and preparation."