Charlotte, N.C. - A Showdown in the Crown Lacrosse Classic
The stage is set for an exciting lacrosse clash as the sixth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels face off against No. 9 Penn State in the Crown Lacrosse Classic. The action unfolds at the American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, with the opening faceoff scheduled for 6:30 PM.
Game Day Details
- Date/Time: Saturday, March 14 - 6:30 PM
- Location: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
- Watch: Corrigan Sports Network
Recap: Tar Heels vs. Brown
The Tar Heels are riding high after a dominant performance against Brown. Despite a slow start, where they allowed three quick goals, Carolina stormed back with a 19-4 run to secure a commanding victory. Their defense was impenetrable, holding Brown scoreless for nearly 24 minutes in the first half.
Key players shone brightly, with Luke Bair and Dominic Pietramala each netting hat tricks. Pietramala's first goal was a milestone, marking his 100th career goal and placing him among the elite 17 in program history to achieve this feat. Owen Duffy contributed significantly with five points, while Luke Macaluso added two goals to the tally.
Faceoff specialists Brady Wambach and Colin Hannigan were pivotal, dominating the faceoff battle with a combined 25 wins. Kai Prohaszka led the defensive efforts with three caused turnovers. The victory also marked a personal milestone for head coach Joe Breschi, who celebrated his 175th win with the Tar Heels, becoming the 27th head coach in Carolina Athletics history to reach such a milestone.
What a Win Over Penn State Would Mean
A victory against Penn State would be significant for the Tar Heels, marking their 11th win over the Nittany Lions and their third neutral-site triumph in this matchup. It would also be Carolina's first top-10 win of the spring and the third ranked victory of the season. For Coach Breschi, it would be his 268th career win and 176th with the Tar Heels.
Neutral Site Success
This game marks the first of two neutral-site contests for the Tar Heels in March. Under Coach Breschi's leadership, Carolina has a solid 12-7 record in regular-season neutral-site games, including an unbeaten run two seasons ago.
Looking ahead, they'll face No. 4 Harvard at Archbishop Spalding High School in a couple of weeks.
Pietramala's Century Mark
Dominic Pietramala continues to impress, having recently joined the ranks of Tar Heels who have scored 100 or more career goals. Currently tied for 14th on Carolina's all-time goals list, he's just 26 goals shy of breaking Bert Fett's record. Pietramala leads the team with 22 goals this season, showcasing his scoring prowess with multiple five-goal games.
Wambach's Dominance at the Faceoff
Brady Wambach is a force to be reckoned with at the faceoff stripe, ranking third among active Division I players with 487 faceoff wins. His accolades include First Team All-America honors in 2025, a first for a Tar Heel since 2012.
Freshman Midfield Impact
The young midfield trio of Luke Bair, Gary Merrill, and Anthony Raio is making waves, combining for 16 goals and five assists this season. They are the first freshman midfield group to play together since 2017, bringing youthful energy and skill to the field.
Defensive Prowess
Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Dave Pietramala, the Tar Heels boast an impressive record of 19-0 when allowing nine or fewer goals since 2024. This season, they're undefeated in such scenarios, underscoring the strength of their defensive unit.
As the Tar Heels prepare to take on Penn State, all eyes will be on Charlotte for what promises to be an electrifying matchup.