Women’s Lacrosse Drops 16-10 Decision To Northwestern

Monday, March 25

Chapel Hill, NC

4:30 p.m. ET

North Carolina

#3 Northwestern

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

March 25, 2024 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Despite a late push in the fourth quarter, the 13th-ranked North Carolina women's lacrosse team suffered a 16-10 loss to No. 3 Northwestern – the defending national champion – in the nonconference finale on Monday evening at Dorrance Field.

The Tar Heels fall to 7-4 (3-2 ACC) while the Wildcats improve to 9-2 (1-1 Big Ten).

How It Happened

Northwestern made it 2-0 less than two minutes in before Reilly Casey scored the first of three straight for North Carolina, prompting a 3-2 lead at the first media timeout.
The Wildcats found the back of the cage twice more to close out the first quarter with a 4-3 lead.
Unable to convert and limited to just four shots in the second frame, the Tar Heels trailed 7-3 heading into the halftime break.
After a 22-minute scoreless drought, Darcy Felter kicked Carolina's offense back in gear with the first goal of the second half after a feed from Caitlyn Wurzburger.
Casey netted her second of the day to cut UNC's deficit to two before NU tallied three unanswered for a 10-5 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Felter disrupted a 7-0 Wildcat run with her second tally at 6:39 to spark a 5-0 run of their own for the Tar Heels.
Four goals, including two from Ashley Humphrey, got Carolina back within four with just under two minutes remaining.
The Wildcats scored the last two as the final score stood at 16-10 in their favor.

Inside the Box Score

NU out-shot UNC 35-24 and held a slight 22-19 edge in shots on goal.
Carolina finished with 15 ground balls to Northwestern's nine. Emily Nalls and GraceAnn Leonard each had three to lead all players.
The Wildcats dominated the draw, 23-6. Leonard had a team-high three.
Splitting time between the pipes, Alecia Nicholas and Stella Harrison combined for six saves.
Both teams forced seven turnovers. Wurzburger had two caused turnovers for UNC.
It proved to be a highly physical contest with 54 fouls issued before the two teams.

Tar Heel Tidbits

Casey's first goal of the game marked her 50th career goal and 100th career point.
Wurzburger has recorded at least one point in 68 of her 74 career appearances after today's two-point effort. She has earned at least one point in every game since April 21, 2022 (38 straight games).
Wurzburger is now nine points away from tying Marie McCool for fifth on UNC's all-time points leaderboard.
With three points today, Humphrey has recorded at least one point in 46 of her 48 career appearances.
The Tar Heels have scored double-figure goals 84 times in their last 91 games.

Up Next
The 13th-ranked Tar Heels resume Atlantic Coast Conference action on Saturday, March 30, with a trip to No. 4 Boston College. UNC will take on the Eagles at noon ET at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass.

The top-15 matchup will broadcast nationally on ACC Network.

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