Facing a Notre Dame team that averages nearly 14 goals per game, the No. 3 UNC women’s lacrosse team locked down defensively Saturday to knock off the No. 6 Fighting Irish 10-6 at Fetzer Field in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.

With the win, the Tar Heels (18-2) advance to next weekend’s Final Four in Philadelphia–making their second straight appearance in the semifinals, and third in the last four seasons.

The duo of Marie McCool and Molly Hendrick–who were each recently named First Team All-Americans–combined for half of UNC’s scoring against Notre Dame (14-7).

Two of McCool’s three goals came during the final 30 minutes, while Hendrick scored once during each half.

Five other players chipped in a goal to the Tar Heel cause, as UNC displayed a brilliant offensive attack–passing the ball brilliantly to avoid a physical Fighting Irish team that likes to defend by poking the ball out from behind.

Molly Hendrick scored two of UNC's 10 goals on Saturday, as the Tar Heels advanced to Philadelphia for the Final Four. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

Molly Hendrick scored two of UNC’s 10 goals on Saturday, as the Tar Heels advanced to Philadelphia for the Final Four. (Jeffrey A. Camarati/ UNC Athletics)

As good as UNC was on offense, though, it was its defense that stole the show–much like it did in their 14-8 win over Notre Dame on April 3.

After taking a 6-4 lead into the break, UNC stormed out of the locker room and suffocated the Fighting Irish attack.

The Tar Heels still continued to score as well, building a  10-5 lead over the next 27 minutes.

Notre Dame’s Kiera McMullan scored the game’s final goal with under three minutes remaining, but the outcome was no longer in doubt.

McMullan was one of just two Fighting Irish players–along with Cortney Fortunato–to find the back of the net twice.

It was a script similar to their win over Duke in the previous round for the Tar Heels. They built a slim lead after a competitive first half before, holding their opponent to just two goals in the second half.

In each game, UNC was clearly the more dominant, well-rounded, team–displaying a solid mix of offense and defense that its opponents simply haven’t been able to match.

Their reward?

A chance to make some noise at the Final Four in Philly, against the three best teams the nation has to offer.

Up Next:

The Tar Heels will play Penn State in their National Semifinal game on Friday, May 27.

Game Notes:

  • UNC has trailed for just 58 seconds in its two NCAA Tournament games so far. Notre Dame took a 2-1 lead early in the first half Saturday, but Aly Messinger scored on the next possession to tie it up for the Tar Heels.
  • It’s the ninth appearance all-time in the Final Four for UNC’s women’s lacrosse program.

 

FINAL STATS

FULL BRACKET

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