Women’s Lacrosse Falls Short Against Notre Dame, 7-5

Saturday, March 2

Chapel Hill, NC

11 a.m. ET

North Carolina

4-2

#5 Notre Dame

5-1

Notre Dame

North Carolina

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

March 2, 2024 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The seventh-ranked University of North Carolina women's lacrosse team fell short in a defensive battle with No. 5 Notre Dame a Saturday afternoon, dropping a 7-5 decision at Dorrance Field.

The Tar Heels fall to 4-2 (1-1 ACC) on the year while the Fighting Irish improve to 5-1 (1-1 ACC).

How It Happened

A defensive slugfest that characterized the game was especially apparent throughout the opening quarter, as Notre Dame scored the lone goal 12 minutes in.
The visiting team tacked on two more by the halfway point of the second quarter before Carolina went on a 3-0 run of its own.
Alyssa Long got UNC on the board with 7:05 on the clock. Eva Ingrilli and Reilly Casey both had goals assisted by Ashley Humphrey.
Three unanswered goals and three key saves from Alecia Nicholas leveled the score at 3-3 heading into the half.
The Fighting Irish regained a 5-3 lead but Caitlyn Wurzburger brought it back to a one-goal game, as the score stood at 5-4 after 45 minutes.
Notre Dame extended its lead to 7-4 early in the fourth frame before Julia O'Connor capitalized on a free-position opportunity to cut UNC's deficit to two.
With both defensive unites standing strong and neither team able to find the back of the net in the final 11 minutes, the Irish held on for a 7-5 win.

Inside the Box Score

Notre Dame out-shot Carolina 34-17, but only 18-14 on target.
The Fighting Irish also held a 10-5 edge on the draw. Emily Nalls had a team-high three draw controls.
Gabi Hall had a game-high four ground balls. GraceAnn Leonard had two along with two caused turnovers.
Nicholas made a season-high 11 saves between the pipes.

Up Next
The seventh-ranked Tar Heels are back in action on Saturday, March 9, when they travel to Clemson for a 3 p.m. ET showdown at LaConte Family Field. It will be the first meeting between the Tar Heels and Tigers in South Carolina. The game will air on ACCNX.

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