Johns Hopkins demolishes UNC men's lacrosse in top-5 matchup

The No. 3 North Carolina men's lacrosse team fell to No. 4 Johns Hopkins, 13-5, at Fetzer Field on Saturday.

What happened?

The Tar Heels (3-1) have made their name this season by jumping all over their opponents early, but this wasn't the case Saturday. 

Less than a minute into the game, UNC midfielder Brett Bedard was called for slashing. A short time later, the Blue Jays (4-0) converted the extra-man opportunity to take a 1-0 lead. 

Johns Hopkins was able to score twice more in the period while the usually potent Tar Heel offense tallied just one goal in the quarter.

Things didn't get any easier for North Carolina in the second quarter. The Tar Heels were held scoreless despite dominating possession in the period.

The Blue Jays tacked on another man-up goal with 2:19 left in the half, and went into the half leading, 4-1.

The Tar Heels came out of the break with a greater sense of urgency and it paid off just over a minute in to the third quarter, as William Perry fired a shot past the keeper to cut the lead to 4-2.

UNC scored once more in the period, but unfortunately for the Tar Heels it was sandwiched between four Johns Hopkins goals. 

North Carolina opened up the fourth quarter with a goal, but the margin was too wide to overcome.

Who stood out?

Blue Jay goalkeeper Gerald Logan played out of his mind Saturday. The graduate transfer tallied 16 saves on the day, his most in a game with Johns Hopkins. 

Logan paced a Blue Jay defense that left the Tar Heels with no room for error. Johns Hopkins held North Carolina to just four goals Saturday — the first time UNC has scored five or less since falling to Hofstra early last season.

When was it decided?

After Stephen Kelly cut the lead to 8-4 early in the fourth quarter, Johns Hopkins went on an incredible run, scoring three goals in less than two minutes to take an 11-4 lead and completely demoralize the Tar Heels.

Why does it matter?

This was UNC's first big test of the season and it didn't really come close to passing. 

It looked like the Tar Heels would avoid a championship hangover after three pretty one-sided victories. But it looks like the loss of some of its key contributors and leaders from last season will be more difficult to deal with than originally anticipated.

Where do they play next?

Things don't get any easier for the Tar Heels, as they travel to take on No. 2 Denver on Mar. 4 at 1:30 p.m.

@jbo_vernon

sports@dailytarheel.com