The North Carolina women’s lacrosse team held off a persistent Boston College squad in a drama-filled final to clinch the national lacrosse championship.
The 12-11 victory against the Eagles caps off an undefeated season from the Tar Heels (22-0), making North Carolina the first undefeated champions since 2017.
TAR HEELS ARE NCAA CHAMPIONS 🐏 First undefeated champ since 2017 @uncwlax pic.twitter.com/zjXWLGLdsR— ACC Network (@accnetwork) May 29, 2022
TAR HEELS ARE NCAA CHAMPIONS 🐏 First undefeated champ since 2017 @uncwlax pic.twitter.com/zjXWLGLdsR
Sunday’s final was a back-and-forth affair, with Boston College and North Carolina trading goals. The teams were knotted 8-8 heading into the fourth quarter.
The third frame was all BC, with goalie Rachel Hall notching eight saves in the second half to swing the momentum in the Eagles’ favor. Charlotte North led all players in goals with four, pulling Boston College to an 8-7 lead before the Tar Heels responded at the end of the quarter.
CHARLOTTE NORTH IS UNREAL ‼️ @BCwlax📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/01ifMt4JqO— espnW (@espnW) May 29, 2022
CHARLOTTE NORTH IS UNREAL ‼️ @BCwlax📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/01ifMt4JqO
North Carolina, though, captured the momentum down the stretch.
The Tar Heels took the lead with five minutes and 26 seconds on the clock before adding another goal with 2:20 remaining. That marked the first time in more than twenty minutes that either team had led by more than a goal.
THIS. GAME. @uncwlax takes the lead 👀 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/J7GQ9ZOKoj— espnW (@espnW) May 29, 2022
THIS. GAME. @uncwlax takes the lead 👀 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/J7GQ9ZOKoj
The Tar Heels’ late advantage endured despite a crafty offensive maneuver from BC’s Cassidy Weeks to pull the eagles within one goal with 14 seconds left on the clock.
North Carolina, however, won possession on the ensuing faceoff to deny Boston College of back-to-back titles.
The national championship marks the Tar Heels’ third title since 2013 and their first since 2016.