Men’s Lacrosse Leads Wire-To-Wire In Win Over No. 14 Michigan

Saturday, February 8

Chapel Hill, N.C.

Noon

North Carolina

1-0

Michigan

1-1

Michigan

North Carolina

Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH

Men’s Lacrosse Leads Wire-To-Wire In Win Over No. 14 Michigan

February 8, 2025 | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score Photo Gallery

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The 16th-ranked North Carolina lacrosse team (1-0) led wire-to-wire over No. 14 Michigan, 15-6, Saturday in the season opener at Dorrance Field.

How It Happened
• Carolina scored the contest's opening two goals, with freshman Caden Harshbarger and Owen Duffy giving the Tar Heels the lead within the opening three minutes.
• Dominic Pietramala, Dewey Egan and Duffy finished the opening frame with scores, boosting Carolina to a 5-2 advantage after the opening 15 minutes.
• Following a Wolverine goal to begin the second quarter, the Tar Heels closed the half with four of the final five goals, giving the hosts a 9-4 lead at the break.
• The Tar Heels outscored Michigan 3-1 in the third quarter, as James Matan, Duffy and Ty English hit the back of the net, a 12-5 lead for Carolina entering the fourth.
• Three man-up goals started the fourth quarter, which included two for Carolina, as Pietramala and Nick Dupuis capitalized on the opportunity, giving the Tar Heels a 14-6 lead midway through the final 15 minutes.
• English rounded out the day in the final 20 seconds, sealing the Tar Heel victory.

Tar Heel Performances
• Duffy and Pietramala led all players with four goals each, with the tandem combining for three assists.
• English (two goals), Matan, Egan, Harshbarger and Dupuis rounded out the Carolina scoring.
• Brady Wambach (12-22) and Parker Hoffman (2-3) combined to win the faceoff battle.
• In his Carolina debut, Michael Gianforcaro made 12 saves, collecting six ground balls as well.
• At defensive midfield, Andrew O'Berry recorded four ground balls and three caused turnovers.

Inside The Numbers
• Carolina leads the all-time series over Michigan, 3-0.
• The Tar Heels have now won 27-straight season openers, the second longest streak in the country.
• Gianforcaro's 12-save performance is his first double-digit showing as a Tar Heel, the 24th in his career.
• Carolina is now 7-0 over the last two seasons when allowing nine-or-fewer goals on the defensive side.
• Five graduate transfers and five freshmen made their Carolina debuts in the victory.

Up Next
• Carolina returns to Dorrance Field Friday night, hosting Stony Brook.
• Opening faceoff is set for 6 PM, with the game airing on ACCNX.