Virginia scored 11 unanswered goals to end the first half to blow open the ACC Championship game early and beat UNC 16-6 in Charlotte Sunday. Carolina is still searching for its first conference tournament title since 2017.

The Tar Heels had opened on the front foot, scoring two goals in the first five minutes to lead 2-0. That’s when Virginia’s avalanche started, as the Cavaliers scored five goals in less than six minutes’ time in the first quarter, then outscored UNC 6-0 in the second quarter to lead 11-2 at halftime. Carolina’s silence offensively wasn’t for a lack of trying; the Tar Heels actually outshot the Cavaliers 26-25 in the first half. But while Virginia goalie Jake Marek made 10 first-half saves, UNC’s Josh Marcus struggled mightily. Marcus gave up nine goals and made just four saves before being lifted late in the second quarter. Marek was eventually named tournament MVP for Virginia.

The Tar Heels’ statistical advantages held up in the second half, as UNC outshot Virginia 45-41. Shots on target went the Cavaliers’ way, but only slightly: 26-24. Virginia held a significant edge in total saves, making 18 to UNC’s 10.

Sunday’s loss drops UNC to 12-4 on the season. The Tar Heels are just 3-3 in their last six games, with each of those losses coming by at least four goals. In the team’s last two losses, opponents have scored a combined 32 goals. Carolina will now await its NCAA Tournament bid, which will be announced Sunday night at 9:30 p.m. on ESPNU. UNC has not won an NCAA Tournament game since 2021, having missed the tournament from 2022 through 2024 and losing in the first round in 2025.

 

Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Dalton T. Wainscott

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