After a Cinderella run to the ACC Tournament Championship, head coach Joe Breschi and the UNC men’s lacrosse team entered the NCAA Tournament with plenty of momentum on their side–and a chance to defend last year’s national title.

Unfortunately for the Tar Heels, No. 4 seed Albany had other plans.

Playing in the comforts of home on Saturday afternoon, the Great Danes (15-2) opened up a 14-3 halftime lead over UNC–before eventually holding on for a 15-12 win in the First Round of this year’s NCAA Tournament.

UNC–which finishes its season at 8-8–scored the game’s first goal on a fantastic shot by Chris Cloutier, but then allowed Albany to take control of the proceedings with six consecutive goals after that.

Cloutier led the UNC offensive effort with five goals and an assist. However, his efforts would not be enough to dig the team out of such a big hole.

The Tar Heels scored the first nine goals of the second half, which cut Albany’s lead to just two goals at 14-12 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

From that point on, the Great Danes locked things down and held on for the victory–scoring the only goal the rest of the way.

Midfielder Bennett Drake put the ball in the net five times for Albany, while his partners in the center of the park–Adam Osika and Kyle McClancy–each added three goals apiece for the home team.

Despite making a heroic comeback effort, the Tar Heels now must return to Chapel Hill–where they will regroup and try to come back stronger next season.

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