Late Denver Goal Tops Men's Lacrosse

Saturday, March 4

Chapel Hill, N.C.

11 AM

North Carolina

3-2, 1-0

Denver

3-2

Denver

North Carolina

Photo by: Andy Mead/UNC Athletics

March 4, 2023 | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - JJ Sillstrop's goal with less than 90 seconds remaining lifted Denver (3-2) over the No. 12-ranked North Carolina men's lacrosse team (3-2), 9-8, Saturday in non-conference action at Dorrance Field.

How It Happened

A back-and-forth opening quarter saw the Pioneers leading by one, 4-3. Sean Goldsmith (2 goals) and Logan McGovern (1 goal) continued their early season success for the Tar Heels in the opening 15 minutes.
After a defensive opening 10 minutes to the second frame, Denver found the back of the net in back-to-back possessions, taking a 6-3 edge with just over six minutes remaining in the opening half.
Following a Ty English score with 1:36 left in the quarter, North Carolina scored on a fast break as the clock expired, as Matt Wright found Goldsmith for the score. However, Denver took a one-goal lead into the intermission, 6-5.
To begin the second half, James Matan fed McGovern with 11:14 remaining in the third, for the lone UNC goal of the quarter. A Denver score with 1:30 left help the Pioneers regain their one-score lead entering the fourth, 7-6.
Goldsmith continued his outstanding day, tying the contest early in the fourth quarter, with the assist credited to Lance Tillman.
Midfielder Antonio DeMarco found the back of the net with 3:24 left in the contest, as UNC took its first lead of the game, 8-7.
However, two-straight goals for the Pioneers in the final 2:29 of the matchup lifted Denver over the Tar Heels, 9-8.

Tar Heel Performances

Goldsmith led all players in the matchup with four goals, the season best for the Jamestown, N.C. native.
Tillman (3 assists) and McGovern (2 goals) also recorded multiple points on the day.
Connor Maher (3 CTs) and Matt Wright (2 CTs) led the Tar Heel defensive effort.
Andrew Tyeryar (4-13) and George Kalos (2-7) saw action at the faceoff X for UNC.
Goalkeeper Collin Krieg stopped eight shots.

Inside The Numbers

UNC still leads the all-time series against the Pioneers, 12-8.
Goldsmith extended his point streak to 12-straight contests, including 46 of 47 games during his collegiate career.
Saturday was the 30th game in McGovern's collegiate career scoring a goal.
Maher's three caused turnovers established a new career-high for the defensive midfielder.