Women's lacrosse tournament rained out, bounces Duke in scrimmage

DURHAM — The North Carolina women’s lacrosse team’s South of the Border Tournament was canceled due to weather, so the Tar Heels scrimmaged Duke and beat the Blue Devils on Sunday afternoon 13-3.

The tournament was set to have both teams face off against eight others in a full day of exhibition games.

But coach Jenny Levy was still excited to get a chance to face some different competition before the season officially kicks off next weekend.

“It was nice to play somebody else,” Levy said. “We’ve been killing each other in practice for about three, four weeks.”

The Tar Heels came out to a roaring start, scoring three goals in the first three minutes.

They led 9-3 at halftime and never looked back en route to routing their rivals by double digits.

The key to the quick start was not only a potent offensive attack that Levy called the best since she’s been at the program

UNC’s early success in getting possession from face-offs created plenty of scoring opportunities.

“I think the biggest part for us is winning the draw,” Levy said. “That’s such a big part of our game.”

The increased possessions allowed senior Kristen Taylor and junior Corey Donohoe many opportunities to score, which they cashed in on.

Both players scored at least four goals against an overmatched Duke defense.

“I think our offense has really come together over the past month that we’ve been practicing,” Taylor said.

The Tar Heels’ offensive experience was just one of the team’s bright spots that was showcased in the scrimmage.

 “A lot of us played together last season, so there was a lot of chemistry that was already there, which is nice,” Taylor said.

Donohoe was pleased with the team’s quick start, something she said the offense had trouble with in the past.

The offense wasn’t the only bright spot for the team. North Carolina’s defense regrouped after a rough start to shut the Blue Devils out in the final 10 minutes of the first half and the entire second half.

Defender Mia Hurrin said that the defense picked up its intensity in the second half.

UNC’s defense only lost one player from last year’s team and also hopes its experience is an advantage.

In goal, Logan Ripley made multiple big saves in the second half of Sunday’s scrimmage to shut down the Blue Devils’ offense.

But it wasn’t all perfect for the Tar Heels. Levy said there’s still room for improvement.

“As always, with the beginning of the season there’s moments of brilliance and things we think we can do better,” Levy said.

Levy said the team must sustain a high level and urgency of play for the whole game to be successful.

“That’s something that takes time,” Levy said.

“Once you get game fit it’s easier to do.”

The team is anxious for the season to begin next week as it tries to build off of last season’s success.

UNC lost in the title game 21-7 to Northwestern last year.

The team officially kicks off its season Sunday versus Denver at Fetzer Field.

“I’m excited,” Taylor said. “I wanted this game to count.”



Contact the Sports Editor at sports@unc.edu.