Women’s Lacrosse Rolls Over James Madison, 14-2, To Open Season

Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI

Women’s Lacrosse Rolls Over James Madison, 14-2, To Open Season

February 7, 2025 | Women's Lacrosse

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The long-awaited return of several players and the start of a highly-anticipated season lived up to the hype for No. 4 North Carolina women's lacrosse, which posted a decisive 14-2 win over No. 18 James Madison on Friday night at Dorrance Field.

Following the victory, the Tar Heels start the 2025 campaign at 1-0 while the Dukes begin at 0-1.

How It Happened

The first tally of the season belonged to Chloe Humphrey with a free position goal five minutes into the game, the first of six unanswered for the home team.
Four goals in the final 4:38, as well as three saves from Betty Nelson in the first 15 minutes of play, gave the Tar Heels a 5-0 edge at the end of the opening quarter.
Kaleigh Harden extended UNC's scoring streak to 6-0 soon into the second frame before JMU got on the board three minutes later. UNC responded by going on an 8-0 run that would last until the game's waning seconds.
Carolina entered the break up 7-1 with Nelson making five first-half saves. The Tar Heels also carried a 13-6 advantage in ground balls and 10-2 edge in caused turnovers.
C. Humphrey opened second-half scoring with a hat trick, marking the first of six goals scored in the third quarter.
Joining her younger sister with a hat trick of her own was Ashley Humphrey who netted her third with just over four minutes remaining in the third.
Freshman Addison Pattillo, the No. 1-ranked recruit in the nation, had back-to-back goals to close the third quarter and open the fourth, extending UNC's lead to 14-1.
The Dukes capitalized on a turnover with 30 seconds left on the clock to notch their second of the night, but UNC finished with a dominant 14-2 win at the final whistle.
UNC's strength defensively was on full display. Anchored by Claudia Kelly, Ellie Traggio and Brooklyn Walker-Welch, the team did not allow a goal in the first or third quarters.

Inside the Box Score

Thirty-two different Tar Heels saw action with nine recording at least one point.
A. Humphrey had a game-high five points behind three goals and two assists. C. Humphrey contributed four points and Olivia Vergano added three in their UNC debuts.
The Tar Heels out-shot the Dukes 32-16, including 19-5 in the second half. C. Humphrey led all players with six shots.
Carolina also had a 20-11 edge in ground balls and 14-4 advantage in caused turnovers.
C. Humphrey had a game-leading three caused turnovers while Kate Levy and Kiley Mottice had two each. C. Humphrey and Mottice both registered three ground balls.
Levy had a game-high five draw controls despite JMU holding a narrow 9-8 edge in that category.
Making her first start in cage, Nelson finished with seven saves with five of those coming in the opening 30 minutes.

Tar Heel Tidbits

North Carolina improves to 13-6 all-time against James Madison, including 7-1 in Chapel Hill.
The first two goal scorers of the season – C. Humphrey and Levy – are the last two USA Lacrosse National High School Players of the Year.
C. Humphrey, Harden and White – who missed the entire 2024 season to injury – combined for five goals and six points.
C. Humphrey is the first Tar Heel to have a hat trick in their Carolina debut since White in 2023, also against JMU.

Up Next
The fourth-ranked Tar Heels have a quick turnaround as they are back in action on Sunday, Feb. 9, for a matchup at Liberty. First draw is set for 1 p.m. ET at Liberty Lacrosse Field in Lynchburg, Virginia, and will air on ESPN+.

Carolina is on the road for its next two games before returning to Chapel Hill on Saturday, Feb. 22, to open Atlantic Coast Conference play against Syracuse at noon. Single-game tickets for all home contests can be purchased here.

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