CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Sophomore attacker Megan Whittle scored four goals as the No. 1 Maryland women's lacrosse team (3-0) earned a hard-fought 8-7 win over No. 5 North Carolina (3-2) Saturday afternoon.
“I think today was quite a defensive battle on both sides,” head coach Cathy Reese said. “I thought our defense played well. I think we had a great first half; Megan Taylor did a great job in goal for us today and made some great saves. Carolina's defense played well and made it hard for us to find looks on goal. I think that's why we saw a low-scoring game from two of the most powerful offenses.”
Three of Whittle's goals came in the second half as the Tar Heels challenged the Terps and tied the game three times. Senior midfielder Taylor Cummings added two goals while freshman midfielder Caroline Steele and sophomore midfielder Kacie Longo each scored once.
In her second career start, freshman Megan Taylor was phenomenal in cage, posting eight saves and one ground ball.
After Taylor started the game with a big save against North Carolina, Cummings scored off an assist from Caroline Wannen at 24:41. Cummings scored again on a low corner shot to put Maryland up, 2-0, just over halfway through the first half.
Steele gave the Terps a 3-0 lead a few minutes later. The Tar Heels got on the board at 6:04, but Whittle tallied a free position goal at 5:16 to push the Terps ahead, 4-1, a lead the team would take to halftime.
After a UNC goal one minute into the second half, Whittle drove to the cage, faked a shot and scored at 26:37.
The Tar Heels rattled off three straight goals to tie the game, 5-5. Longo's goal broke the tie at 16:54 before North Carolina tied again at 15:37.
Whittle notched her third goal of the game at 7:16 with a bouncing shot. After the Tar Heels tied again at 5:41, Whittle dodged through two defenders and scored the game winner at 3:39. Maryland was able to maintain possession for the remainder of the game to take the win.
Cumings finished the game with four ground balls, three caused turnovers and two draw controls. Junior defender Nadine Hadnagy picked up four ground balls while junior midfielder Zoe Stukenberg notched three draw controls.
Maryland held a 26-22 advantage in shots and a 20-17 advantage in ground balls. The Tar Heels led in draw controls, 9-8.
North Carolina's All-American goalie Caylee Waters finished with 13 saves on Maryland.
The Terps return to College Park to host Hofstra next Saturday, March 5. Opening draw is set for noon at the Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex.
– Maryland –
