No. 16 UNC men's lacrosse cruises past No. 14 Michigan, 15-6, in season opener

The No. 16 North Carolina men’s lacrosse team (1-0) defeated No. 14 Michigan (1-1), 15-6, in its 27th straight season-opening win on Dorrance Field on Saturday afternoon.

UNC took a commanding start, leading by three goals after the opening quarter, and never relinquished its advantage. The first half was led by sophomore attackman Owen Duffy and redshirt sophomore attacker Dominic Pietramala with a hat trick apiece. North Carolina outscored the Wolverines in the second half, 6-2.

After missed shots on both ends of the field, UNC was first to draw blood. First-year midfielder Caden Harshbarger found the top left corner of the goal on an unassisted rip for his first career goal. North Carolina won the following faceoff and, only 30 seconds later, reigning ACC Freshman of the Year Duffy bounced the ball in between the Wolverine goalie’s legs. 

Michigan was quick to respond. A Wolverine behind the cage found a cutter on top of the goal who finished, bringing the score to 2-1, UNC. 

North Carolina notched two more in. Both goals came from rips on the right side of the field with no hesitation. 

Then UNC scored the potential goal of the game after the Michigan goalie ran too deep into midfield and was met by a throuple of Tar Heels in the North Carolina ride. Junior attacker James Matan scooped up the ground ball and made a behind-the-back pass to Duffy to score on the open goal.

Michigan — up a man thanks to a UNC offsides violation — completed another feed to the front of the goal, leading to a diving goal for the Wolverines. North Carolina finished the first quarter with a 5-2 edge. 

The feed from behind was working for the Wolverines who again found a cutter on top of the goal to open the second quarter. This time, Bo Lockwood hit a behind-the-back goal that is sure to end up on the Michigan highlight reel. 

North Carolina followed with two of its own. Duffy scored on a wide left zinger for an early hat trick, and Pietramala bullied his way through traffic and left two Wolverines in his tracks. After a Michigan illegal cross check, Pietramala scored again on man-up play to get to three goals and put UNC up, 8-3. 

“This kid is the best player in the country,” Pietramala said about Duffy. “No doubt about it. So having the ability to play by his side is just so fun. It’s tough to cover him, so when he beats his guys, it’s just easy pickings from there.”

Michigan countered again with a goal with a minute left, but not before sophomore midfielder Andrew Preis did a roll dodge to lose his defender for a clear lane to the cage. The New York native dove and found the back of the net with seven seconds remaining, giving North Carolina a 9-4 halftime advantage. The Tar Heels won 10 of 15 faceoffs in the first half. 

“I think just as a whole offense, I think we’re really just gelling,” Duffy said. “I think we’re spinning the ball right now, and it’s really fun to play.”

UNC started to pull away in the third quarter. Matan scored off a Duffy assist. Michigan found the goal 10 seconds later, but there was Duffy next on the left side of the field who hit the bottom left of the cage with virtually no angle and time running out on the shot clock. 

The North Carolina defensive unit — which totaled 13 caused turnovers and 12 saves — was dominating the Wolverines. Graduate goalkeeper Michael Gianforcaro saved a Michigan shot and graduate defensive midfielder Andrew O’Berry picked off a pass across the cage, leading to another UNC goal on the other end and a 12-5 lead going into the final frame.

“Mike Gianforcaro is arguably the best goalie I have ever been around,” head coach Joe Breschi said. “He is exceptional, not only as a leader but as a keeper and just all around.”

While man-up, Duffy passed to Pietramala who converted on a low bouncer to the left side of the cage, giving both players foul goals on the afternoon.

Michigan scored another and UNC popped one in right above the Wolverine goalkeeper’s head for the next goal, pushing the Tar Heel advantage to 14-6. One more for North Carolina and UNC secured its first win of the season, 15-6.

The Tar Heels will return to action at home on Friday at 6 p.m. against Stony Brook. 

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