Senior attacker Jamie Ortega scored five goals and the top-ranked UNC women’s lacrosse team remained undefeated on Saturday in Chapel Hill, with a dominant 18-3 win over Mercer.

All five of Ortega’s goals came in the first half, as she has now scored at least five times in 22 different games throughout her storied career.

By halftime, the Tar Heels (10-0) had built a commanding 14-0 lead and had erased any chance of a surprise comeback by Mercer.

Katie Hoeg added a goal and four assists to match Ortega’s point total, while Kerrigan Miller, Scottie Rose Growney and Tayler Warehime each scored two goals apiece.

The Tar Heel defense also forced Mercer into a season-high 21 turnovers in what was a complete all-around win for head coach Jenny Levy’s squad.

This marks the 17th consecutive victory overall for UNC in a streak that includes a perfect 7-0 record from last season.

“With every game we play, we want to come out strong, come with energy, focus and be dialed in,” Ortega said afterwards. “On the first possession we had, we did score to get off to a good start. It’s always great when everyone does well and does their parts and roles on the team. Once we scored three goals in just a few minutes, we did get in the groove a little bit. I think that was huge for us.”

Up Next:

The Tar Heels host No. 2 Syracuse next Saturday in an ACC showdown set to begin at 11 a.m.

 

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees. You can support local journalism and our mission to serve the community. Contribute today – every single dollar matters.

Related Stories
‹
Eight Tar Heels Selected to Women's Lacrosse Academic All-ACC Team
A total of eight Tar Heels were named to the Academic All-ACC women’s lacrosse team on Tuesday, highlighted by five players who recently earned First Team All-American status as well. Attackers Katie Hoeg and Jamie Ortega joined midfielder Ally Mastroianni, defender Emma Trenchard and goalkeeper Taylor Moreno as First Team All-Americans who also earned Academic […]
Late Rally Sparks No. 1 UNC Women's Lacrosse to NCAA Quarterfinal Victory Over Stony Brook
Trailing 11-9 against No. 8 seed Stony Brook with just under nine minutes left on the clock Saturday afternoon at Dorrance Field, the top-ranked UNC women’s lacrosse team shifted into overdrive and reeled off five straight goals to win the NCAA Quarterfinal game 14-11 and clinch a spot in the Final Four. Scottie Rose Growney […]
Katie Hoeg Selected as Kellie Thompson Shiley Award Winner
UNC senior attacker Katie Hoeg was chosen Tuesday as the women’s lacrosse program’s Kellie Thompson Shiley Award winner. The honor is presented annually within the team to a player who excels in the classroom and on the field, displays outstanding leadership at all times, sets a positive example for younger players and has a true passion […]
Women's Lacrosse: Jamie Ortega, Taylor Moreno Named Tewaaraton Award Finalists
UNC seniors Jamie Ortega and Taylor Moreno were each chosen Thursday as part of five finalists for this year’s women’s Tewaaraton Award. The Heisman Trophy of college lacrosse, the Tewaaraton Award recognizes the nation’s top player. This is the first time UNC has ever had two players selected as finalists. Ortega was named the ACC […]
Women's Lacrosse: Undefeated UNC Named Top Overall Seed for NCAA Tournament
The UNC women’s lacrosse team — which has won its last 25 games dating back to 2020 — earned the No. 1 overall seed on Sunday for the upcoming NCAA Tournament. Head coach Jenny Levy’s squad is a perfect 18-0 this season and recently steamrolled through the ACC Tournament for the program’s fifth consecutive conference […]
Women's Lacrosse: Taylor Moreno Earns Third National Defensive Player of the Week Award of 2021
UNC senior goalkeeper Taylor Moreno picked up her third IWLCA National Defensive Player of the Week award of the season on Tuesday. Moreno recently was named a First Team All-ACC selection and the ACC Tournament MVP after helping the top-ranked Tar Heels secure their fifth consecutive conference title. In UNC’s three wins last week during […]
No. 1 UNC Women's Lacrosse Rolls Past Notre Dame in ACC Tourney Semifinals
The high-powered UNC women’s lacrosse team showed once again why it’s the overwhelming favorite to win a national championship this season, rolling to an 18-4 victory on Friday in Chapel Hill over No. 4 seed Notre Dame as part of the ACC Tournament semifinals. Stars Jamie Ortega and Katie Hoeg each tallied seven points in […]
Seven Tar Heels Earn All-ACC Women's Lacrosse Honors
A total of seven Tar Heels earned All-ACC honors in women’s lacrosse on Tuesday, highlighted by five players earning First Team All-ACC selections. Attackers Jamie Ortega and Katie Hoeg–two of the conference’s top five all-time scorers–were joined on the First Team by midfielder Ally Mastroianni, defender Emma Trenchard and goalie Taylor Moreno. This is the […]
No. 1 UNC Women's Lacrosse Edges Past No. 7 Duke to Remain Unbeaten
Ally Mastroianni scored with 17.9 seconds remaining on Friday night in Durham, to lift the top-ranked UNC women’s lacrosse team to a 12-11 win over No. 7 Duke. That goal was enough to improve the Tar Heels to 15-0 this season and help them clinch the conference regular season title with a 9-0 mark against […]
Hoeg and Ortega Dominate as No. 1 UNC Women's Lacrosse Blows Out No. 7 Virginia
Jamie Ortega and Katie Hoeg each tallied eight points apiece on Friday at Dorrance Field to lead the top-ranked UNC women’s lacrosse team to a 20-8 victory over No. 7 Virginia. The win moves the Tar Heels to 13-0 this season and 7-0 inside the ACC. It’s also the program’s 20th consecutive victory overall, matching […]
›