Tar Heel Trio Earns Spot on 2026 Tewaaraton Award Watch List
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina men’s lacrosse is heading into the 2026 season with serious firepower - and now, national recognition to match. Owen Duffy, Dominic Pietramala, and Andrew Wambach have all landed on the Tewaaraton Award Watch List, the most prestigious honor in college lacrosse, awarded annually to the top male and female players in the country.
For Carolina, having three names on the list is more than a nod to individual talent - it’s a statement about the strength of this roster and the kind of season the Tar Heels are poised to put together.
Let’s break down why these three are on the radar - and why they’re not just watch list names, but legitimate contenders.
Owen Duffy: The Playmaker
Duffy was a consistent offensive catalyst for UNC last season, finishing second on the team with 34 goals and leading the way in assists (27) and total points (61). He had a knack for showing up big in big moments - putting up three or more goals in eight games and tallying five-plus points in eight contests.
What makes Duffy stand out isn’t just the raw numbers, though they’re impressive. It’s the way he orchestrates the offense.
His 2.0 assists per game ranked second in the ACC, while his 4.25 points per game put him third in the conference. Simply put, Duffy sees the field like a quarterback - always a step ahead, always dangerous.
Dominic Pietramala: The Finisher
If Duffy’s the setup man, Pietramala is the finisher - and a lethal one at that. He led both UNC and the ACC with 48 goals last season, earning postseason honors at both the conference and national level. That breakout year included 10 hat tricks and a pair of six-goal explosions against top-10 teams in Johns Hopkins and Syracuse - both on the road.
Pietramala’s 48 goals weren’t just good for the moment; they were historic. That mark ranks third all-time for single-season goals in Tar Heel history. The Lutherville, Md. native brings a physical edge and a scorer’s mentality - the kind of player who doesn’t just take what the defense gives him, but forces defenses to adjust to him.
Andrew Wambach: The X-Factor at the X
Faceoff specialists don’t always get the spotlight, but Wambach is changing that narrative. Last season, he finished fourth in the nation in faceoff win percentage at .643 - a dominant clip that gave UNC a massive possession advantage all year long.
He became the first Tar Heel faceoff man to earn first-team All-America honors since R.G. Keenan in 2012.
Wambach’s consistency at the X was unmatched. He posted double-digit faceoff wins in 14 games and collected 10 or more ground balls in five of those. His 225 faceoff wins last season weren’t just impressive - they were the third-most in a single season in Carolina history.
In a sport where possession is everything, Wambach’s ability to control the faceoff game gives the Tar Heels a critical edge every time he steps on the field.
What’s Next
With Duffy, Pietramala, and Wambach leading the charge, Carolina isn’t just returning talent - they’re returning proven, high-level performers who can tilt the field in all phases of the game. The Tewaaraton Watch List nods are well-earned, and they set the stage for what could be a special season in Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels open their 2026 campaign this Friday evening at home against High Point, with faceoff set for 5 PM. With three Tewaaraton-caliber players suiting up, all eyes will be on Carolina - and for good reason.