Tar Heels Lacrosse Set to Launch 2026 Season Against Jacksonville at Dorrance Field
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The wait is over in Chapel Hill. After last weekend’s scheduled opener at Towson was washed out by weather, the eighth-ranked North Carolina men’s lacrosse team will finally kick off its 2026 campaign this Saturday at home against Jacksonville. Faceoff is set for Noon at Dorrance Field, and there’s more than just a win on the line-there’s history, momentum, and a legacy of season-opening dominance all in play.
A Familiar Foe to Start the Year
This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the Tar Heels and Dolphins, and if history is any indication, Carolina has the upper hand. The Heels rolled past Jacksonville 20-7 in last year’s matchup, also held in Chapel Hill. The Dolphins come into this one already 0-1 on the year, while Carolina is eager to get its season underway after a strong 2025 campaign that saw them share the ACC regular-season title and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2021.
Chasing a Streak That’s Spanned Generations
A win on Saturday would extend Carolina’s season-opening win streak to 28 straight, a run that dates all the way back to 1999. That’s not just impressive-it’s historic.
The streak is the second-longest active run in the nation, trailing only Maryland’s 33-game streak. For context, the last time UNC dropped a season opener, Bill Clinton was in the White House and the program hadn’t yet claimed three of its five national championships.
This kind of consistency doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a testament to the culture built under head coach Joe Breschi, who enters his 16th season at the helm. A win this weekend would mark his 262nd career victory and his 170th with the Tar Heels-numbers that speak to both longevity and sustained success.
A Program Steeped in Championship Pedigree
This season also marks a special milestone for Carolina lacrosse. Four of the program’s five national title teams are celebrating anniversary years in 2026:
- 1981: 45 years
- 1986: 40 years
- 1991: 35 years
- 2016: 10 years
It’s a reminder of the standard that’s been set in Chapel Hill-and the one this year’s squad will be chasing.
Looking Ahead
Saturday’s game isn’t just about starting the season off right. It’s about setting the tone.
Carolina has the firepower, the pedigree, and the home-field advantage to make a statement. With ACC play and a national title chase looming in the months ahead, a strong showing against Jacksonville could be the first step in what the Tar Heels hope will be a memorable run.
Opening faceoff is at Noon on ACCNX. For fans in Chapel Hill, Dorrance Field will be the place to be. For everyone else, this is your first look at a team with championship aspirations and a whole lot of history behind it.