Princeton's Late Surge Secures Victory Over No. 2 North Carolina
In a thrilling nonconference clash, Princeton's men's lacrosse team pulled off an impressive 11-9 victory against the No. 2 ranked North Carolina. The Tigers closed the game with a decisive 3-0 run, showcasing their resilience and tactical prowess.
Game Breakdown
The game started with a tight first quarter. Dominic Pietramala scored the sole goal for the Tar Heels midway through, but Princeton held a narrow 2-1 lead at the end of the period.
Princeton came out strong in the second quarter, quickly extending their lead to 4-1. However, North Carolina responded with Owen Duffy setting up James Matan to halt the Tigers' momentum. Despite another Princeton goal, the Tar Heels fought back with goals from Duffy and Luke Bair, closing the half down just 5-4.
The third quarter saw Princeton edge ahead again, outscoring Carolina by one, thanks to goals from Anthony Raio and Luke Macaluso. But the Tar Heels weren't done yet. They opened the fourth quarter with three consecutive goals, briefly taking the lead with just over nine minutes left.
Princeton, however, had the final say, closing the game on a 3-0 run to clinch the victory by two goals.
Standout Performances for the Tar Heels
Owen Duffy was a key playmaker, leading the Tar Heels with four points, including a goal and three assists. Dominic Pietramala was the only multi-goal scorer for Carolina, finding the net twice.
Brady Wambach was dominant at the faceoff X, winning 13 of 23 and scooping up seven ground balls. In goal, Josh Marcus matched his career-high with 12 saves, while Peter Thomann and Parker McDonald each contributed two caused turnovers.
Key Insights
Princeton now leads the all-time series against North Carolina 10-9. This matchup marked the first time the Tar Heels played on Princeton's turf since 2014.
Duffy has been a model of consistency, recording a point in every game of his career, and notched his 20th multi-assist game. Pietramala has been a scoring threat all season, with multiple goals in four games.
Both goalkeepers were busy, combining for a total of 37 saves, highlighting the intensity and competitiveness of the match.
Looking Ahead
The Tar Heels will return to Chapel Hill to host Brown at Kenan Stadium on Saturday. The game, part of SECU Family House Day, offers free admission and kicks off at 1 PM. Fans will be eager to see how Carolina bounces back after this hard-fought contest.