Final Four Drought Over for UNC Men's Lacrosse: Tar Heels Crush Notre Dame

Eight times since 1993 the UNC men’s lacrosse team reached the NCAA Quarterfinals, only to come up short on each occasion.

After starting 2016 with a 3-3 record–and minus some of its most talented players from last season–few would have expected this group of Tar Heels to do any different.

Two months later, here we are. The ninth time was the charm.

UNC is heading to the Final Four after Sunday’s 13-9 victory over the No. 3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the preseason national title favorite.

Steve Pontrello (0) scored four goals on Sunday to lead UNC’s explosive attack against Notre Dame. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

Playing at the famed Ohio Stadium in Columbus–where head coach Joe Breschi once led the Ohio State Buckeyes–the Tar Heels (10-6) absolutely dominated the Fighting Irish (11-4) from start to finish in a game that was nowhere near as close as the final score suggests.

“There was no pressure on them,” Breschi said in his TV interview after the game. “We’ve just competed every week.

“We had a heart-to-heart after we were 3-3,” an emotional Breschi continued. “These guys…I love all of them.”

Senior attacker Steve Pontrello scored four goals in the second half for UNC, while Chris Cloutier–a sophomore from Ontario, Canada–got the team off to a flying start by tallying all three of his goals in the first half, including one incredible play where he scored with a nifty, behind-the-back shot.

Luke Goldstock and Michael Tagliaferri each added two goals apiece–with Patrick Kelly also scoring once–as the Tar Heels simply overwhelmed Notre Dame with their fast-paced offensive attack.

By pushing the ball downfield before their opponents had a chance to get set, UNC generated a number of high-percentage opportunities on net–which they consistently took advantage of.

Stephen Kelly’s faceoff dominance allowed UNC to keep getting the ball in good scoring position. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

Notre Dame tied the game 2-2 just before the end of the first quarter, but the Tar Heels then reeled off a stunning 8-0 run over the next 29 minutes– a span that lasted nearly two full quarters.

With junior Stephen Kelly continually winning in the face-off circle after each UNC goal, it made it seem like the game was being played–for a little while, at least–under “make it, take it” rules.

Only once the outcome was no longer in doubt did the Fighting Irish start to make a run. Notre Dame had a 6-1 edge in fourth quarter scoring, and scored the final five goals of the game.

Not once, though, did UNC ever feel threatened.

The Tar Heels were content to just pass the ball around over the final 15 minutes, making sure there would be no funny business preventing them from the upset win.

Breschi teared up on the sidelines when the clock finally ran out, as the coach had finally achieved the goal of returning his alma mater–where he’s been the head man since leaving Ohio State in 2009–to Championship Weekend.

He was also back in the state where his 3-year-old son, Michael, was killed in 2004 after being struck by an SUV in a parking lot outside his preschool.

“Patrick Kelly spoke at breakfast this morning and dedicated the game to my son,” Breschi said, choking up on camera. “I’m just so proud of them. Go Heels.”

Up Next:

UNC returns to action Saturday May 28 in Philadelphia, where it will take on the winner of the game between Towson and Loyola (Md).

Game Notes:

The Tar Heels defeated Notre Dame 17-15 in first meeting between the teams in 2016 back on April 23–the final game of the regular season.
Pontrello’s four goals were scored consecutively, including one where he ran 30 yards backwards to dodge a double team before scoring on an open net.
Both the men’s and women’s Tar Heel lacrosse teams will be in Philly to compete for National Championships.

FINAL STATS

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Final Four Drought Over for UNC Men’s Lacrosse: Tar Heels Crush Notre Dame

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