It’s still early in the season for the seventh-ranked UNC women’s lacrosse team, but the Tar Heels picked up by far their most impressive victory so far on Saturday afternoon–knocking off No. 1 Maryland 16-15 in overtime at Kenan Stadium.
Senior midfielder Marie McCool scored the game-winner just 43 seconds into the extra period, tying her with freshman Jamie Ortega for the team lead with four goals on the day.
UNC (3-1) also received three goals from Ela Hazar and two from Ally Mastroianni as head coach Jenny Levy’s squad handed Maryland (2-1) its first loss in its last 25 games.
The matchup between the sport’s last two national champions saw the Tar Heels take an early 3-1 lead, only for the Terrapins to reel off six consecutive goals to take a 7-3 lead.
Three straight goals before halftime cut the Maryland lead to 7-6, but the visitors refused to cave easily. With just four minutes remaining in the game, the Terrapins held onto a 15-13 lead and appeared to have the win nearly locked up.
Ortega then scored on a free position shot just seconds later, before McCool found Hazar with a great pass leading to the game-tying goal with just 22 seconds remaining.
Then in the extra period, UNC won the draw control and got the ball to Ortega–who ultimately found McCool for the game-winner.
“When you play a team like Maryland, they’ll challenge you to see what you know and how good you are at the things you’re supposed to be doing on the field, whether it’s defense, midfield or offense,” Levy said afterwards. “I really loved the challenge today and thought the toughness and grit to come back from down two goals down the stretch was great.”
Up Next:
The Tar Heels will return to action next Saturday to host Florida in Chapel Hill. That game is set to begin at 1:15 p.m.
Photo via Jeffrey A. Camarati (UNC Athletics)
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