Late Push Sends No. 4 WLAX Past Richmond, Into NCAA Quarterfinals

Sunday, May 14

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Noon ET

North Carolina

16-4, 7-2

#17 Richmond

17-4, 8-1

Richmond

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

Late Push Sends No. 4 WLAX Past Richmond, Into NCAA Quarterfinals

May 14, 2023 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The No. 4-seed University of North Carolina women's lacrosse team made a late push in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, pulling away for a 16-12 win over Richmond on Sunday afternoon at Dorrance Field.

The Tar Heels improve to 16-4 (7-2 ACC) on the year and advance to the quarterfinals on Thursday, May 18. The Spiders end their season at 17-4.

How It Happened

Locked at three apiece with 90 seconds left in the first, Melissa Sconone scored twice in a 40-second span in the final minute to put the Tar Heels up 5-3.
Richmond tallied four unanswered to begin the second quarter before Reilly Casey broke UNC's scoring drought.
The Spiders scored once more but Olivia Dirks' second of the day got the Tar Heels within one, trailing 8-7 at the break.
Carolina fired off two quick ones to open the second half before Richmond responded with a pair of its own.
Caitlyn Wurzburger's goal at the halfway point in quarter three sparked a 3-0 run for the home team, which included Sconone's third as UNC held a narrow 12-11 lead heading into the fourth.
Highlighted by back-to-back goals from Lauren Figura, UNC went on a 4-1 scoring run in the fourth quarter.

Inside the Box Score

UNC held a slight 17-14 edge in draw controls behind Kaleigh Harden's career-high eight.
Emily Nalls and Ellie Traggio led all players with two caused turnovers each, with Nalls also having a game-high four ground balls.
Alecia Nicholas made seven saves between the pipes, including three in the first quarter.
Eight Tar Heels found the back of the cage compared to four Spiders.
Sconone led UNC's roster with four points after her first career hat trick.

Tar Heel Tidbits

With three points today, Wurzburger has now amassed 200 in her career, becoming one of just 13 Tar Heels to reach the 200-milestone.
Wurzburger also has 93 career assists after , which ranks fourth all-time in program history.
After dishing out one assist, Casey is now tied for ninth all-time in school history for single-season assists with 34.
The Tar Heels have won 64 of their last 69 games, and 72 of their last 78.
Carolina has scored double-figure goals 73 times in its last 78 games.
UNC remains undefeated in the all-time series with Richmond at 10-0.
North Carolina moves to 8-4 this year against top-25 opponents.

NCAA Tournament Tidbits

Carolina is advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals for the 23rd time.
UNC is now 20-1 overall in the NCAA second round.
The Tar Heels own a 42-20 (.677) all-time record in NCAA games.
UNC is 31-3 in home games during the NCAA Tournament.
UNC is making its 24th overall, and 18th straight, NCAA Tournament appearance.
North Carolina has been awarded a top-5 seed for 14 straight seasons.
Jenny Levy's 42 NCAA wins move her up to be tied for second all-time by a head coach.
UNC's three national titles rank third all-time in NCAA history by a school.
Levy's three national titles rank fourth all-time by a head coach.
UNC is the defending national champion, having won in 2022 after an undefeated season.

Up Next
The Tar Heels now advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the 23rd time in program history. No. 4-seed Carolina will take on No. 5-seed Denver on Thursday, May 18, at Dorrance Field in Chapel Hill. First draw is set for 5 p.m. ET and the game will broadcast on ESPNU.

Stay up to date with UNC women's lacrosse by following the Tar Heels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.