No. 14 UNC women's lacrosse beats Virginia Tech, 13-9

The No. 14 UNC women’s lacrosse team (8-5, 4-3 ACC) conquered Virginia Tech (8-6, 2-5 ACC), 13-9, on Saturday afternoon at Dorrance Field.

In the opening three minutes, senior midfielder Alyssa Long put the Tar Heels on the board. Finding room inside the eight-meter arc, Long battled a lonely Hokie goalie to find the back of the net. 

Even with the Hokies pushing North Carolina late into the shot clock, sophomore attacker Kiley Mottice forced a low shot that bounced into the net a few minutes later. As the first quarter winded down, UNC looked completely in control.

But Virginia Tech began to find a newfound rhythm halfway through the quarter. In one minute, the Hokies ripped off two consecutive goals to tie the Tar Heels. Although Long met the mesh once more before the buzzer sounded, the Hokies continued to pressure UNC. 

As Virginia Tech goalkeeper Jocelyn Torres steadied the defense with three early saves, the Hokies’ offense exploded on the other side of the field. Through the opening minutes of the second quarter, Virginia Tech scored twice and took its first lead. 

The Hokies’ lead didn’t last too long. After Long won the draw control, senior attacker Caitlyn Wurzburger raced down the field to find the equalizer. Building on the momentum, Long used a free position shot to push the Tar Heels back in front. 

However, the Hokies found their footing once more. In the last six minutes of play, North Carolina and Virginia Tech traded two goals each. The Tar Heels only found themselves up 7-6 at the end of the half. 

In the third quarter, the back-and-forth battle moved to free position attempts. After Virginia Tech’s Ella Rishko tied the game again within the eight meter, Long used the next free position shot to push the Hokies to another deficit. 

The Tar Heels ended the third quarter with a 9-7 lead after sophomore attacker Caroline Godine found the back of the net off a bounce shot with four minutes left to play. 

Although the Hokies tacked on two goals in the fourth quarter, UNC outscored Virginia Tech with four goals in the last 15 minutes. Long put the final nails in the coffin with two goals to end the match and secure the victory. 

The Tar Heels will go on the road to take on the Pittsburgh Panthers next Saturday at noon. 

@_emmahmoon

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