Ortega Leads Tar Heels By Duke, 20-10

Saturday, April 21

Chapel Hill

3:00 PM

North Carolina

12-3, 6-1ACC

Duke

7-8, 2-5ACC

Duke

North Carolina

Jamie Ortega's seven goals are one off the UNC single-game record.

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

April 21, 2018 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery Final Stats (.pdf)Watch Hoeg's Circus Goal Highlights

CHAPEL HILL—Fifth-ranked North Carolina (12-3, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) got a career-high seven goals from Jamie Ortega, closed the first half on a 10-0 run and defeated No. 22 Duke (7-8, 2-5) by a 20-10 score on Saturday at sunny Kenan Stadium.

The game ended the regular season for both squads and marked the final regular season home appearance for Tar Heel seniors Maggie Bill, Bridget Curran, Elizabeth Haus, Ela Hazar, Naomi Lerner and Marie McCool.

Carolina has beaten Duke in each of the last eight consecutive meetings in the series, as well as 11 of the last 12 and 16 of the last 19.

Ortega's seven goals and eight points were season highs for the freshman, and the seven goals were just one off the UNC single-game record of eight set by Kellie Thompson in 2002. Ortega increased her season total to 43, the most goals scored by a UNC freshman in a season since Corey Donohoe had 50 in 2008.

McCool had four goals and one assist for the Tar Heels, while Katie Hoeg had a goal and four assists. Bill finished with two goals and two assists, and freshman Taylor McDaniels scored twice. Kara Klages, Charlotte Sofield and Marisa DiVietro each scored once.

"Duke got off to a good start, and I thought we weathered the storm well," UNC head coach Jenny Levy said afterward. "For us to respond with a 10-0 run pleased me. I like that we were challenged and responded well in a total team game today. We still have work to do, and I think this team can continue to get better."

Duke took a 1-0 lead in the first 10 seconds of the game when Olivia Jenner scored off the opening draw. The Blue Devils later led 3-1 and 4-2 in the early going, and Carolina didn't take its first lead until the 12:03 mark of the first half at 6-5 on a goal by Bill.

The 10-0 run to close the opening half gave the Tar Heels a 14-5 lead at the break.

Carolina out-shot Duke, 33-23, and had a 12-8 edge in ground balls on the day.

Elise Hennessey (9-2) started for Carolina in goal and picked up the win, making three saves and allowing five goals in the first half.  Taylor Moreno entered the game to start the second half and made five saves in the second half.

The Tar Heels will return to action next Thursday at 5 p.m. in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals in Durham, N.C.  Carolina will be the No. 2 seed in the tournament behind top-seeded Boston College and will face No. 7 seed Syracuse.