Against Florida last weekend, the North Carolina women’s lacrosse team scored three goals in the first eight minutes.
Against No. 17 Towson Friday afternoon, Kara Cannizzaro scored three goals in the first 3 minutes, 50 seconds.
By the end of 11 minutes, No. 5 UNC had accumulated five goals, of which Cannizzaro was responsible for four.
But what was perhaps frightening for the Tar Heels was the similarity of the aftermath to last weekend. After growing a 4-0 lead, UNC let up on the gas and allowed the Tigers to close the gap to 5-3. UNC wouldn’t score again in the half.
Frequent whistles toward the middle portion of the half seemed to take UNC out of its rhythm. The Tar Heels were forced to slow down as the game’s flow disappeared and play turned ugly.
Towson defense settled and began to turn away UNC’s shots. Its offense began to beat UNC at its own game, streaking down the field on counterattacks and dancing around the Tar Heel defenders.
Even when UNC made a late run, earning free position after free position, Towson dug in its heels and turned aside three close-range shots in a row.
A late foul by Margaret Corzel drew a yellow card and gave Towson a free-position shot as time expired in the half, but her attempt flew wide, preserving UNC’s two-goal lead.
Quick stats from the first half:
- Towson took four first-half shots and scored on three of them.
- Towson made three saves; North Carolina made zero.
- UNC was whistled for 15 fouls, while Towson committed 18.
- The Tar Heels won the draw control battle, 6-3.
To get the day's news and headlines in your inbox each morning, sign up for our email newsletters.
