Before the season, no one quite knew what to expect offensively from the North Carolina men's lacrosse team.
Sure, they returned junior Luke Goldstock, who set a team record with 50 goals during the 2015 season. But seniors Joey Sankey, Jimmy Bitter and Chad Tutton all graduated, taking 104 of the team's 244 goals with them.
The Tar Heels took the first step toward answering those questions, though, with their 20-10 win against Michigan on Saturday in Chapel Hill. After dropping the opening faceoff and allowing a goal in the first ninety seconds of the game, UNC reeled off five straight goals in the next four minutes.
Michigan, in its fifth year of existence as a lacrosse program, fought back in the first half and at times was able to draw within two goals. But UNC proved to be too much. After entering halftime leading 10-6, the Tar Heels outscored the Wolverines 10-4 the rest of the way.
The team displayed its new look offensively. Ten different players scored for UNC, led by sophomore Chris Cloutier who amassed five goals in his first career start and his first game in the attack role after moving from the midfield. The Ontario native had only one goal all of last season in the two games he played. Senior Steve Pontrello also finished with four goals, while Goldstock finished with two goals.
Quotable
They're a completely different group down there than what we've had, but you know that's the beauty of a new year. You get to see some different guys out there making plays, and they sure as heck made them today." — Coach Joe Breschi on the performance of his team's new-look offense.
