Redshirt freshman Chloe Humphrey scored a hat trick in her collegiate debut to help Carolina trounce No. 16 James Madison 14-2 in the regular-season opener at Dorrance Field on Friday night.

Humphrey, the top-ranked recruit in her class who missed all of the 2024 season due to injury, led the team with six total shots and added an assist to her three goals. Her older sister, Ashley Humphrey, also registered a hat trick and collected a pair of assists.

The two sisters each found the back of the net in the opening quarter, one which ended with the Tar Heels ahead 5-0. The lead grew to 7-1 at halftime, and Chloe Humphrey needed only 35 seconds in the third quarter to complete her hat trick. Ashley wasn’t far behind, scoring two goals in less than seven minutes in the period to give her three on the night. Freshman attacker Addison Pattillo and Virginia Tech transfer Olivia Vergano also scored twice each.

As a team, Carolina doubled up the Dukes on total shots (32-16) and nearly tripled them up on shots on goal (24-9). The UNC defense held James Madison without a single shot in the entire third quarter. Sophomore goalie Betty Nelson made seven saves in her first collegiate start. JMU’s two goals are the fewest allowed in a game by the Tar Heels since the 2022 season.

Friday’s win avenged an overtime loss to the Dukes in the 2024 season opener. The Tar Heels are 1-0 and will return to the field Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. when they visit Liberty.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Lacrosse on Twitter

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