No. 8 MLAX Hosts No. 20 Denver Saturday

CHAPEL HILL - No. 8 North Carolina (4-1) is set to host No. 20 Denver (3-2) at Dorrance Field on Saturday, Mar. 5. Opening face-off is set for noon on ACC Network Extra.

Game Information
Opponent: No. 20 Denver (3-2, 0-0 Big East)
Date/Time: Mar. 5, 12 p.m.
Location: Dorrance Field, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Watch: ACC Network Extra
Live Stats: Stat Broadcast

Looking Back
Chris Gray's seven goals and a 9-1 run at the end of the second quarter and into the third helped the Tar Heels down No. 13 Johns Hopkins 15-10 Sunday afternoon. Nicky Solomon scored three goals to earn his seventh career hat trick. He also added three assists. Jacob Kelly and Lance Tillman both collected two goals and one assist. Andrew Tyeryar was stellar at the face-off going 7 for 9. He also earned his fourth career assist. Zac Tucci went 12-20 at the face-off while picking up a team-leading six ground balls. Collin Krieg was solid in the cage and finished with nine saves.

Series History vs. Denver
North Carolina is 11-7 all-time against Denver. In 1999, the team's first met when the Tar Heels earned the 7-4 win. The two teams last met in 2021 as the Tar Heels downed the Pioneers 24-13 in their season opener at home. UNC holds a 7-4 record at home against Denver.

Coaching Matchup
Joe Breschi is in his 24th season as a head coach and 14th with the Tar Heels, with a 233-129 career record for a .644 winning percentage. Breschi is 141-66 (.680) as North Carolina's head coach. Breschi is 5-6 all-time against Denver.

Head coach Bill Tierney is in his 38th season as a head coach carries a career record of 423-143 (.747) into Saturday's matchup. He is ranked third in career wins in division one men's lacrosse. Tierney is 151-50 overall in 13 seasons at Denver. Tierney is 12-8 all-time against the Tar Heels.

Against the Big East
Saturday's game against Denver will be the 28th all-time meeting against current Big East teams. North Carolina is 20-8 (.714) all-time against current Big East members. UNC has played four all-time NCAA Tournament games against current Big East teams. The Tar Heels are 1-3 all-time in the NCAA Tournament against the six competing teams in the Big East.

Gray's Hot Start
Attackman Chris Gray has been dominant on the offensive side of the ball so far this season. He leads the team with 19 goals and 14 assists through five games. He has also collected 13 ground balls and caused three turnovers. Gray is currently fourth in points per game and eighth in goals per game nationally.

Take the Shot and Ask Questions Later
The Tar Heels have outshot their opponents 242 to 183 this season. UNC is now 4-0 when they take more shots. Last season the team got off 40 or more shots in every game, overwhelming outshooting their opponents 800 to 629.

Tune In
Fans can follow the Tar Heels matchup against No. 20 Denver with @UNCMensLacrosse on Twitter. The game will stream live on ACC Network Extra at noon.

Scoreboard Slider

University of North Carolina Athletics

Players Mentioned

Chris Gray

Jacob Kelly

Collin Krieg

Nicky Solomon

Lance Tillman

Zac Tucci

Andrew Tyeryar

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