North Carolina has had no trouble starting quickly so far this season.
Despite taking nearly eight minutes to score its first goal, a relatively long span for the Tar Heels, UNC’s offense was never in any danger of stagnating.
Richmond’s defense began the half in a densely set formation, preventing the Tar Heels from getting shots close to the goal but doing little to dispossess their opponents of the ball.
Kara Cannizzaro earned a first-half hat trick, scoring her three goals in just over 14 minutes. Taylor George added two, while Abbey Friend, Emily Garrity, Brittney Coppa, Aly Messinger and Kelly Devlin added one apiece. Devlin, who switched from defense to offense this year, scored her career’s first goal.
Time of possession isn’t an official statistic in lacrosse, but if it were, it would have told the story of the first half. North Carolina’s 26 shots to Richmond’s one hint at that tale, though.
Bailey Zerr scored Richmond’s only goal on its only shot, an underhanded scoop from close range. Another Richmond goal was disallowed when the Spiders’ Amanda Johnson leveled Sloan Serpe in the arc.
The Tar Heels controlled 10 of 12 draws, and were able to take multiple shots on each trip down the field.
Richmond was whistled for 14 fouls to UNC’s five, which only served to make the battle for possession more lopsided.
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