No. 1 UNC Women’s Lacrosse Opens 2026 with Statement Win Over No. 19 JMU
HARRISONBURG, VA - The top-ranked North Carolina women’s lacrosse team didn’t just open the 2026 season with a win - they made a statement. With a 19-11 road victory over No. 19 James Madison, the Tar Heels extended their nation-best winning streak to 23 games, a stretch that now ranks third in program history and 10th all-time in NCAA history.
And from the opening whistle, it was clear Carolina came ready to pick up right where they left off.
Offense in Full Flight
It took just 70 seconds for Chloe Humphrey to find the back of the net, and that early strike set the tone for a dominant first half. Four Tar Heels recorded hat tricks on the day, led by Darcy Felter, who tied her career high with five goals. Addison Pattillo added four, while Humphrey and Kaleigh Harden each finished with three.
Humphrey wasn’t just scoring, either. The sophomore star dished out four assists, matching her career high, and showcasing the kind of dual-threat play that’s made her one of the most dangerous attackers in the country.
Felter, meanwhile, looked locked in from the jump. After finishing a feed off a Sam Forrest-caused turnover, she rattled off two more goals in quick succession to give UNC a 3-0 lead and force an early JMU timeout. By the time she netted her fifth, the Tar Heels had built a commanding 16-5 cushion.
Addison Pattillo was relentless as well, scoring twice in the first half and then adding two more in a one-minute span during the third quarter. Her four-goal outing marked the fourth hat trick of her career.
Kaleigh Harden joined the hat trick party late, capping off a balanced offensive effort that saw seven different Tar Heels score.
Early Dominance, Late Response
UNC came out firing and never let JMU settle in. The Heels outshot the Dukes 13-1 in the first quarter alone, forcing seven turnovers and getting goals from four different players. By halftime, Carolina held a 12-5 lead, having outshot JMU 23-7 and controlled the tempo on both ends of the field.
That control continued into the third quarter, where the Tar Heels stretched their lead to 16-5 behind back-to-back goals from Pattillo and two more from Felter.
To their credit, JMU didn’t go quietly. The Dukes strung together five straight goals to cut the deficit to 16-10 midway through the fourth, showing some fight and testing UNC’s composure.
But the Heels responded like a team with championship DNA. Harden stopped the bleeding with her second goal, and freshman Reese King followed with her first career tally - a moment she won’t forget - to push the lead back to 18-10. Harden then completed her hat trick to cap off the scoring at 19-10 before JMU added a late goal.
Numbers That Tell the Story
- Carolina finished with 37 shots, putting 28 on target and forcing nine saves from the JMU keeper.
- The Heels dominated possession early, with a 13-1 edge in first-quarter shots and a 23-7 advantage by halftime.
- UNC forced 7 turnovers in the opening quarter alone, setting the tone defensively.
- Chloe Humphrey has now scored at least three goals in 19 of her 23 career games - consistency at an elite level.
- Felter’s five-goal performance was her second such game and sixth career hat trick.
- Pattillo and Harden each recorded their fourth and second career hat tricks, respectively.
What’s Next
The Tar Heels won’t have much time to bask in this one. They’re back on the road next Friday with a big early-season test at No.
13 Syracuse. That one’s set for a 2:30 p.m. start and will be broadcast on ACC Network.
If this opening performance is any indication, Carolina’s got the firepower, depth, and poise to make another deep run - and they’re not easing into this season. They’re coming for it.