The UNC women’s lacrosse team overcame a 5-1 first-quarter deficit to earn a thrilling 13-12 win at Duke Thursday night, providing an emphatic end to the 2023 regular season.

Freshman midfielder Kaleigh Harden recorded her first career hat trick in the win, with the final two goals tying the game at 11 and then giving Carolina the lead in the fourth quarter. Alyssa Long also netted a hat trick, and has now scored five goals in her last two games.

UNC answered Duke’s opening salvo by scoring six of the game’s next seven goals, taking its first lead at 7-6 early in the third quarter. The Blue Devils promptly responded with a 3-1 run of their own, and it was game on from there. Neither team led by more than a goal until consecutive scores from Harden and fellow freshman Marissa White put the Tar Heels ahead 13-11 with 5:33 to go in the game. Duke scored just 61 seconds later to cut the lead to 13-12 but did not find the back of the net again.

The tight game was borne out in the box score:

  • Shots: 28-25 UNC
  • Shots on goal: 19-17 UNC
  • Saves: 6-5 Duke
  • Draw controls: 16-12 Duke

UNC goalie Alecia Nicholas did not have to stop a single shot after Duke cut the lead to one goal late in the fourth quarter.

The win means Carolina ends the regular season at 12-3 overall and 7-2 in conference play. The Tar Heels will enter next week’s ACC Tournament in Charlotte seeking their seventh consecutive conference championship, though will not do so as the top seed. The full bracket will be published after the conclusion of this week’s games.

 

Featured image via UNC Women’s Lacrosse on Twitter

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