Spencer Wirtheim makes immediate impact on UNC men's lacrosse after transferring

Graduate midfielder Spencer Wirtheim never played Catan before transferring to UNC. 

It's a board game the Tar Heels frequently play as a team bonding exercise. And since he left Cornell, Wirtheim still hasn't won a contest on his own. His only victory is a joint win after teaming up with senior defensive midfielder Cooper Frankenheimer. 

Despite his inexperience with Catan, the team included Wirtheim in the game when he transferred. While his board game skills are still a work-in-progress, he meshed with the Catan-playing Tar Heels in other ways. 

On Sunday afternoon, this newfound bond came to life in No. 5 UNC men's lacrosse's 20-7 rout of Jacksonville at Dorrance Field. Wirtheim tallied two goals and two assists with both numbers setting highs in a Carolina Blue uniform. Since transferring, the team has looked to him for his leadership, poise and character both on and off the field.  

Wirtheim considers transferring to North Carolina the best decision he has made. He scheduled a visit with Duke, but canceled it after visiting UNC and meeting the team. 

“I fell in love with this place, and I'm really glad I'm here," Wirtheim said.

At Cornell, he recorded 33 goals over three seasons and 46 games. 

For head coach Joe Breschi, picking up Wirtheim from the transfer portal was a no-brainer. He saw his experience and leadership and knew the team would welcome it. 

From the moment he stepped into the locker room, his personality meshed with the team, making for a smooth transition onto the field. 

“I've never seen anyone mesh with the team so well right from the get-go,” senior midfielder Ty English said. “The guys took a liking to him right away.” 

And the connection is evident. 

In Sunday’s game, Wirtheim capped off UNC’s 5-0 run in the first quarter that propelled the Tar Heels to a 7-3 start. In the second quarter, junior attackman James Matan sent the ball to Wirtheim. The transfer scored by crashing the top corner.

English said how a person acts in the locker room resembles how they act on the field. Breschi added Wirtheim is helpful with the younger players. He’ll sit with them during games, often offering suggestions for future plays and in-game moments. 

“He's one of those guys that kind of brings them along and says, 'Hey, in this situation, do this and that,’” Breshi said. 

In addition to a leader, Breshi sees Wirtheim as a "plug." The coaching staff can put Wirtheim anywhere and trust that he’ll make the right play. 

While he has lots of experience — Wirtheim has been on a college lacrosse roster every year since 2020 — Wirtheim sayshe has still learned from his new teammates. The team welcomes his leadership, but Wirtheim has limits. 

“I didn't want to come in and be like, ‘It's my way or the highway,’” Wirtheim said. 

He sees his role as leading by example and coming to work every day. On a team like this, he said it’s easy to stay dialed in when everyone has the same mentality. There's only one piece that's missing. 

Wirtheim would like to win a solo game of Catan.

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