The UNC women’s lacrosse team couldn’t overcome a five-goal halftime deficit at Notre Dame Saturday, falling to the Fighting Irish 16-12. It’s Carolina’s second consecutive road loss this season.

Notre Dame scored just 1:07 into the game and controlled play in the first half, leading 5-2 after the first quarter and 9-4 at halftime. That lead grew to 10-4 early in the third quarter before the Tar Heels rallied, using a 5-2 run to cut the lead to three goals. The Tar Heels exchanged goals with the Irish several times after that, but were never able to cut the deficit below the three-goal plateau. A Notre Dame goal with 1:57 remaining sealed the win for the Fighting Irish.

Five Tar Heels scored a pair of goals each, including Caitlyn Wurzburger and Marissa White. Carolina had no answer for Notre Dame’s Madison Ahern, who scored five goals by herself. Two other Fighting Irish each registered hat tricks.

The loss drops UNC to 9-2 on the season and 5-1 in conference play. It’s Carolina’s first regular-season ACC loss since March 31, 2019, which coincidentally was also a road game at Notre Dame. 2019 was also the last time UNC lost multiple games in a season.

The 2023 Tar Heels will look to bounce back from the defeat Friday in Chapel Hill when they host Pittsburgh.

 

Featured image via Notre Dame Athletics

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