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
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Related Stories
‹
Trio of Tar Heels Named to Preseason All-ACC Men's Lacrosse RosterThree UNC players found their names on the Preseason All-ACC Team revealed on Tuesday, with junior attackman Chris Gray being joined by a pair of sophomores in goalkeeper Caton Johnson and short-stick midfielder Connor Maher. Gray is in his first year with the Tar Heels after transferring from Boston University, where he was a nominee […]
![]()
Chris Cloutier and Jack Rowlett Selected to All-ACC Men's Lacrosse TeamUNC placed two players on the All-ACC Men’s Lacrosse Team, which was released on Thursday–with senior attacker Chris Cloutier and junior defender Jack Rowlett each earning the nod. The team was selected by the league’s five head coaches. Although both Cloutier and Rowlett were each named to the Preseason All-ACC team prior to the season, […]
![]()
Three Tar Heels Named to All-ACC Men's Lacrosse TeamAfter a vote from the league’s five head coaches, the ACC released its All-ACC Men’s Lacrosse Team on Thursday. Because there are only five teams in the conference, there are no First and Second Team distinctions–just a single 18-player roster. After finishing the season fourth in the conference, UNC (6-7, 1-3 ACC) had just three […]
UNC Men's Lacrosse's Season Ends vs. Syracuse in NCAA QuarterfinalsDespite leading 6-2 in the second quarter, UNC fell to No. 6 overall seed Syracuse 13-11 in the NCAA quarterfinals Saturday in Hempstead, N.Y. The Tar Heels’ season is over. Carolina, the No. 3 overall seed in the field, had taken its early lead thanks to three goals in rapid succession from Brady Wambach, Anthony […]
Photo Gallery: UNC Men's, Women's Lacrosse Win NCAA Tournament Openers in Chapel HillBoth the UNC men’s and women’s lacrosse teams hosted NCAA Tournament action at Dorrance Field during the weekend. The No. 3 seeded men’s team earned a blowout, first round victory against Albany on Saturday, before the No. 2 seeded women’s team handled Clemson on Sunday after having a bye in the first round. Check out […]
Pietramala's Record-Breaking Day Helps UNC Men's Lacrosse Beat Albany in NCAA TournamentUNC junior attackman Dominic Pietramala rewrote several record books in a 24-6 Tar Heel win against Albany in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday in Chapel Hill. The win was the Tar Heels’ first in the NCAA Tournament since 2021. 🗣️ HEELS WIN#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/2tGpLXLAB1 — UNC Men's Lacrosse (@UNCMensLacrosse) May 9, […]
4 UNC Lacrosse Players Named First Team All-Americans, Several Others HonoredA combined four players between the UNC men’s and women’s lacrosse teams were named as first team All-Americans by USA Lacrosse this week. Brady Wambach earned first team honors on the men’s team, while Chloe Humphrey, Sam Forrest and Eliza Osburn each earned nods on the women’s team. Wambach, a junior faceoff specialist, has already […]
Multiple UNC Teams Post Perfect Academic Progress Rates, New Report SaysSeveral UNC sports programs posted perfect single-year and multi-year academic progress rates for the 2024-25 academic year, according to the NCAA’s latest report. Academic progress rate (APR) is used to track performance of scholarship students who compete on varsity teams, and the score measures eligibility and retention each semester. A perfect score is 1000, and […]
UNC Women's Lacrosse No. 2 Overall Seed, Men No. 3 in NCAA TournamentThe UNC men’s and women’s lacrosse teams are both national seeds in their respective NCAA Tournament fields, which were announced Sunday night. The women’s team is the No. 2 overall seed in the bracket, while the men are No. 3 overall. On the women’s side, the Tar Heels earned the No. 2 overall seed despite […]
UNC Men's Lacrosse Falls to Virginia in ACC Championship GameVirginia 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 […]
›
