University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Maryland
Maryland Beats UNC, 8-7, In Title Game Rematch
February 27, 2016 | Women's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL – Megan Whittle scored three second-half goals as top-ranked Maryland (3-0) beat fourth-ranked North Carolina, 8-7, in a rematch of the 2015 NCAA championship game at Fetzer Field on Saturday afternoon.
Maryland led, 4-1, at halftime before the Tar Heels (3-2) rallied to tie the score at 5-5 with over 20 minutes to play. The teams traded goals and were still tied at 7-all in the closing minutes before Whittle scored with 3:39 to go for an 8-7 Terrapin advantage. Maryland won the ensuing draw and ran out the clock for the victory.
Senior Sammy Jo Tracy led the Tar Heels offensively with two goals and six draw controls. Freshman Olivia Ferrucci also scored twice. Aly Messinger had a goal and an assist, and Marie McCool and Sydney Holman both scored single goals.
Whittle finished with a game-high four goals for Maryland. Taylor Cummings scored twice and Caroline Steele and Kacie Longo each scored once.
"It's great to go against a tough opponent in an early-season game," UNC head coach Jenny Levy said afterward. "Maryland graduated a lot but they still have two of the top kids in the country in Taylor Cummings and Megan Whittle.
"I thought the first half was a little sloppy and we left some opportunities out on the field. The second half was a little better. Overall we played well. We held them to eight goals, which not many teams will do this season. We need to learn from this and improve going forward."
Carolina senior goalie Caylee Waters tied career high in saves with 13, going the distance in the cage for the Tar Heels and falling to 3-1 with the loss. Megan Taylor (2-0) played all 60 minutes for Maryland and made eight saves.
Maryland controlled the first half, jumping out to a 1-0 lead after six minutes of action and a 3-0 lead by the 12:52 mark of the half. Taylor Cummings scored the first two goals for the Terps with Caroline Steele adding the third. Ferrucci scored UNC's only goal of the first half.
In the second half, Carolina went on a 4-1 run in the first 8:54 to tie the score at 5-all. The teams traded goals the rest of the way in a tense second half before Whittle's game-winner.
Carolina will return to action on Sunday March 6 at 1 p.m. against Albany.
