Strong UNC women's lacrosse eyes return to title game

Fresh off a run to the national title game, Jenny Levy’s women’s lacrosse program is gunning for another trip.

With the top four scorers returning from an attacking unit that averaged more than 10 goals a game last season, North Carolina fields one of the best offenses in the nation.

Corey Donohoe, Kristen Taylor, Megan Bosica and Jenn Russell all topped 35 goals last season.

“The core offensively with Corey and Krit and Becky (Lynch) coming back together, ... has been a huge benefit for us,” Levy said.

Taylor has been a fixture in the offense for the last three seasons despite struggling with injuries two years ago and a long-running illness in 2009.

“Krit has really done a great job battling through some health issues,” Levy said.

“She’s been a total warrior in her approach to all of it. I think she’s gained great perspective.”

On the defensive side of the ball, things start with Kristen Carr.

A holding midfielder, Carr provides intimidation in the middle of the field and helps keep the action on the opponents’ half.

But if opponents get through Carr, then there’s always a safety net in the hands of Logan Ripley, the 2009 national goalkeeper of the year.

“We’re excited to have her back,” Levy said of Ripley. “She’s the best goalkeeper we’ve had in this program.”

UNC will have to replace last season’s top defender in Amber Falcone.

But on the plus side, the team returns all the other defensive starters.

“Although we’d love to have Amber for another year, I’m really confident in what our returning players can do,” Levy said.

Granted, UNC will have plenty of momentum to build upon after its postseason run to the title.

The Tar Heels downed powerful NCAA foes Notre Dame and Maryland.

“Our kids now know how hard they have to work,” Levy said.