No. 4 UNC men's lacrosse suffers first loss of season, 14-12, to No. 8 Princeton

The four win hot streak ended for No. 4 UNC men’s lacrosse (4-1, 0-0) as the No. 8 Princeton (3-1, 0-0) after a 14-12 loss on Sunday afternoon.

UNC struck within the first minute with a goal from sophomore midfielder Andrew Preis on an unassisted bounce shot from range, but Princeton was quick to respond and tie the game at 1-1.

After the tying goal, a tough back and forth ensued for the rest of the first quarter. North Carolina’s defense kept a tight ship allowing multiple shots on target but just one goal but as graduate goalkeeper Michael Gianforcaro made multiple saves.

"We were a little stagnant after one, we felt like we were in mud a little bit, and then we shook it off,” head coach Joe Breschi said.

Princeton opened the second quarter with a critical mistake on the clear and a deflected pass by junior attackman James Matan left the goal wide open and UNC tied the game. 

Due to bad offensive decisions and turnovers, the Tar Heels put themselves into a two goal deficit. However, North Carolina was able to climb out of the hole and tie the game at 4-4.

With an incredible feat of athleticism, senior midfielder Antonio DeMarco helped the Tar Heels take the lead with a diving goal across the crease. In the closing seconds of the half, Gianforcaro made a great save, allowing the Heels to hold on to their one goal lead.

Redshirt sophomore attackman Dominic Pietramala helped the Heels strike first with a top shelf line drive that beat the Princeton keeper. But even with the momentum in their favor, the Tigers closed the gap within the first five minutes of the quarter.

The Tar Heels once again took the lead as first-year faceoff Parker Hoffman took a ground ball from a faceoff across the field to score unassisted.

Seconds later, Pietramala scored again, his twentieth of the season, showing his athleticism as he scooped a loose ground-ball and tossed the ball past the goalkeeper as his body hit the ground.

Penalties plagued the Heels as Princeton managed to score again with a man up. The Tigers four goal run gave them a two goal lead.

“You can’t give them those extra man opportunities or extra possessions,” Breschi said.

But Pietramala kept North Carolina in the game, scoring his third goal on the day for a hat trick. With help from sophomore attackman Owen Dufffy , who scored his second goal, UNC tied the game at 10-10.

“Duffy and Dom both showed up in a big time way, in a big time game,” Breschi said.

The clock continued to tick closer and closer to zero and the game remained neck and neck. A late goal from Princeton on a trick play gave the Tigers an one goal lead in the closing minutes.

With two minutes remaining and the Tar Heels down one, they desperately tried to find the back of the net to tie the game. However, the UNC couldn’t find the back of the net and Princeton was able to hold on to the ball as the clock struck zeros, handing North Carolina a 14-12 loss. 

The Tar Heels look to bounce back next Saturday against Hofstra at 11 a.m.

@C_Gouldielocks

@dthsports | sports@dailytarheel.com