University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels To Open Season With No. 1-Ranked Northwestern
February 15, 2007 | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 15, 2007
CHAPEL HILL -- The University of North Carolina women's lacrosse team will open its 2007 season against two-time defending NCAA champion Northwestern on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Fetzer Field. Admission is free. The Tar Heels are ranked No. 3 in the preseason Inside Lacrosse poll and are No. 4 in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) poll. Northwestern is No. 1 in both polls.
The Tar Heels, who reached the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals in each of the last two seasons, return nine of 12 starters and 25 letterwinners from last season. Last year, an NCAA Tournament loss to Northwestern in the quarterfinals kept Carolina from reaching its fourth Final Four. The Wildcats went on to win their second consecutive national championship a week later.
Carolina will be led this season by a nine-member senior class, a group that includes 2006 National Defender of the Year Jenn Cook and All-ACC returnees Kristen Hordy in goal, Melissa McCarthy in the midfield and Christina Juras on the attack. The senior class also features returning starter Jess Allen and possible 2007 starter Chrissy Rude.
The Tar Heels will be guided by 12th-year head coach Jenny Levy, who has led Carolina to 132 wins, three Final Fours and eight NCAA Tournaments in her 11 seasons.
