No. 8 North Carolina Rolls Past Iona with Dominant All-Around Effort
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - North Carolina men's lacrosse showed off its depth, discipline, and dominance on Sunday afternoon, cruising to a 23-7 win over Iona in nonconference action at Dorrance Field. The Tar Heels improved to 3-0 on the young season, while Iona dropped to 0-4.
This one was a showcase of just how deep and dangerous Carolina can be when everything clicks - and it didn’t take long for them to find their rhythm.
How It Unfolded
Iona came out swinging, jumping to a 2-0 lead early in the first quarter. But that brief spark was quickly extinguished by a Carolina response that was as swift as it was relentless.
The Tar Heels rattled off four straight goals to close the opening frame, including a pair from Owen Duffy and one each from Luke Bair and Luke Macaluso. That flurry flipped the script and set the tone for what would become a one-sided affair.
From there, Carolina put its foot on the gas. The second quarter saw them outscore the Gaels 8-2, stretching the lead to 12-4 by halftime.
And if there was any doubt left, the third quarter erased it. UNC poured in nine goals while allowing just one, ballooning the margin to 21-5 heading into the final 15 minutes.
The fourth quarter was more about managing the clock and spreading the minutes. Each team found the net twice, but the outcome was never in question.
Standout Performances
Owen Duffy continues to be the engine of this Tar Heel offense. The junior attackman was everywhere, finishing with three goals and five assists - an eight-point day that felt effortless at times. He’s now registered a point in all 30 games of his collegiate career, a testament to both his consistency and his importance to this program.
But Duffy wasn’t alone. Seventeen different Tar Heels found the back of the net, and five of them scored multiple goals. That kind of scoring distribution is rare and speaks volumes about the team’s offensive balance and unselfish play.
On the defensive end, the goalie trio of Josh Marcus, Kent Goode, and Brayson Wilson combined for six saves. While they weren’t tested often, they stayed sharp and handled their responsibilities with poise.
Then there was Brady Wambach, who absolutely owned the faceoff X. He went 18-for-20 on draws and scooped up 17 ground balls - a single-game record.
Fifteen of those came in the first half alone. His dominance gave Carolina possession after possession, which in turn fueled the offensive explosion.
By the Numbers
- This was the first-ever meeting between North Carolina and Iona.
- Duffy’s point streak has now reached 30 straight games - a mark of elite-level consistency.
- Wambach’s 17 ground balls set a new single-game program record.
What’s Next
The Tar Heels wrap up their four-game homestand on Friday with a marquee matchup against No. 16 Johns Hopkins. The Blue Jays bring tradition, talent, and toughness - and they’ll be looking to make a statement of their own.
Opening faceoff is set for 5 PM at Dorrance Field and will be televised on ACC Network.
If Carolina plays with the same energy and efficiency they showed against Iona, they’ll be more than ready for the challenge.