Thanks to an overtime goal by graduate student Connor McCarthy on Sunday in Hempstead, New York, the top-ranked UNC men’s lacrosse team escaped with a 12-11 win over Rutgers in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.

McCarthy–in his first year as a Tar Heel after transferring from Princeton–scored just over two minutes into the four-minute extra period to deliver UNC (13-2) its first Final Four appearance since winning it all back in 2016.

It was an intense back-and-forth affair which saw the teams end the first quarter tied 1-1, the second quarter tied 3-3, the third quarter tied 7-7 and the fourth quarter tied 11-11.

Rutgers (9-4) built a 10-8 advantage with just over eight minutes remaining, but UNC answered with back-to-back goals by sophomore Lance Tillman–who ended the day with a career-high four goals.

The Scarlet Knights went back ahead with four minutes left on a goal by Adam Charalambides, which was answered five seconds later on the other end by UNC’s Zac Tucci. That goal by Tucci ultimately forced overtime.

Offensively, UNC was led by Tillman’s four goals and three scores from Justin Anderson. McCarthy added two goals on the day, while ACC Offensive Player of the Year Chris Gray was limited to just three assists.

Up Next:

The Tar Heels will face ACC rival Virginia in the Final Four next Saturday, in East Hartford, Connecticut.

 

 

 

Photo via Hofstra Athletics

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