Chapel Hill, N.C. - A Dominant Display by the Tar Heels
The fifth-ranked North Carolina men's lacrosse team put on a show against Johns Hopkins, cruising to a 17-9 victory, largely thanks to the dynamic duo of Dominic Pietramala and Owen Duffy, who combined for an impressive nine goals.
Game Breakdown
The Tar Heels set the pace early, establishing a 3-1 lead in the first quarter with goals from Leif Hagerup, Owen Duffy, and Dominic Pietramala. The second quarter saw a back-and-forth battle, with each team scoring three times. Pietramala, Duffy, and Mason Szewczyk kept Carolina ahead, maintaining a 6-4 advantage at halftime.
In the third quarter, Carolina outscored the Blue Jays 6-4, extending their lead to 12-8. The Tar Heels dominated the final quarter, adding five more goals to secure the eight-goal victory.
Star Performers
Pietramala led the charge with five goals, while Duffy wasn't far behind with four. Eight different Tar Heels found the back of the net, showcasing the team's depth.
Freshman goalkeeper Josh Marcus had a standout performance with 12 saves, six in each half, marking a career-best. Brady Wambach was a force at the faceoff X, winning 20 of 29 and scooping up 13 ground balls.
Key Stats and Insights
This matchup marked the 54th meeting between the two storied programs, with the series now tied at 27-27. Pietramala's performance was his 11th career game with four or more goals, continuing his strong showings against Johns Hopkins with 11 goals in the last two seasons. Carolina's defense was rock-solid, as they improved to 16-0 in games allowing single-digit goals over the past three seasons.
Looking Ahead
The Tar Heels will hit the road for the first time this season, heading to Penn for a Friday night showdown. The game kicks off at 5 PM and will be available on ESPN+. With their current form, Carolina will look to continue their winning streak and build on this momentum.