No. 1 UNC Women’s Lacrosse Outlasts No. 13 Syracuse Behind Late Surge, Kate Levy’s Breakout Performance
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - In a clash between two of the nation’s top programs, No. 1 North Carolina women’s lacrosse showed exactly why they’re wearing the crown.
The Tar Heels went into the JMA Wireless Dome and came out with a 13-9 win over No. 13 Syracuse, using a fourth-quarter burst to separate in what had been a back-and-forth battle most of the afternoon.
This wasn’t a runaway by any means - the Orange gave UNC all it could handle - but when it mattered most, the Heels leaned on a mix of veteran poise and breakout performances to extend their winning streak to 24 games, the longest active run in the country.
Kate Levy Steps Into the Spotlight
Sophomore midfielder Kate Levy picked a great time to have a career day. She tallied five points, including her first career hat trick, and played a central role in UNC’s late push. Levy’s fingerprints were all over the final quarter - scoring, assisting, and doing the gritty work that doesn’t always show up in the box score but wins games.
Her third goal came with just over three minutes left, finishing off a slick feed from Chloe Humphrey to put the game out of reach at 13-9. It was a fitting cap to a performance that felt like a coming-out party for a player who’s been steadily climbing the ranks within the program.
Chloe Humphrey Does What Chloe Humphrey Does
And then there’s Chloe Humphrey. The sophomore attacker added yet another hat trick to her growing collection - her 20th in just 24 career games. Her ability to create offense in tight windows and deliver under pressure continues to be a difference-maker for the Tar Heels.
Humphrey scored the opening goal of the second half to tie things at six, then added two more in the fourth quarter, including a crucial finish off a Levy assist that gave UNC a two-goal cushion with under 10 minutes to play.
How It Unfolded
The game opened with Syracuse taking an early 2-1 lead after Levy struck first for UNC. The teams traded goals through a tightly contested first half, with Carolina getting scores from Caroline Godine, Kiley Mottice, and Eliza Osborn. Syracuse held a slim 6-5 advantage at the break, despite being outshot 18-8 in the first 30 minutes.
UNC wasted no time after halftime. Humphrey tied it up on the first possession, and Godine followed with a strong finish off a curl from behind the cage to give the Heels a 7-6 lead. From there, it was a game of punches and counterpunches.
Darcy Felter gave UNC an 8-7 edge with a spinning finish off an Addison Pattillo assist. Syracuse tied it again at 8, but Levy’s second goal with 13:02 remaining put the Heels back in front for good.
The final stretch was all Carolina - three straight goals from Humphrey, Felter, and Mottice pushed the lead to 12-9. Then Levy sealed it with her third of the day.
By the Numbers
UNC finished the game with 41 total shots, 21 of them on goal. Syracuse’s goalie did her part, racking up 14 saves to keep the Orange in it. But the volume and variety of Carolina’s offense eventually wore down the Syracuse defense.
The Heels’ first-half shot advantage (18-8) told the early story, even if the scoreboard didn’t reflect it right away. By the fourth quarter, that pressure paid off.
Historic Streak Still Alive
With the win, North Carolina’s 24-game winning streak rolls on - the third longest in program history and now the 10th longest in NCAA women’s lacrosse history. It’s not just a number; it’s a testament to the consistency, depth, and championship mentality of this group. They’ve found different ways to win over the past year, and Friday was another example of their ability to close out tight games against elite competition.
UNC also improved to 14-8 all-time against Syracuse, including a 4-4 mark in road games.
What’s Next
The Tar Heels return to Chapel Hill for their home opener on Friday, Feb. 20, when they host Ohio State at 1:30 p.m. With momentum on their side and the nation’s longest winning streak intact, UNC will look to keep the train rolling in front of a home crowd.
Tickets are available at GoHeels.com/Tickets.