Women's lacrosse downs Cavaliers 17-7

When the No. 3 North Carolina women’s lacrosse team prepared to meet No. 6 Virginia for the second round of the NCAA tournament, the Tar Heels knew it wouldn’t be like any other game.

But it didn’t stop UNC from doing what it’s done best all season, and they rolled to a 17-7 win against the Cavaliers Saturday in Fetzer Field. 

“We always say that when we go to practice whenever we cross the line onto the field, it’s just about lacrosse,” North Carolina goalie Logan Ripley said. “We try to block out everything else.”

But there was certainly a lot to leave behind, and the Tar Heels didn’t need to look beyond their own wrists to remember why.

North Carolina players wore orange sweatbands to honor senior Yeardley Love, a Virginia player who was found dead in her apartment May 3. Former boyfriend and member of the UVa. men’s lacrosse team, George Huguely, has been charged with first-degree murder.

“There were so many elements that we had to think about and prepare for,” North Carolina coach Jenny Levy said. “(We had) to try to separate what’s going on at Virginia and the game of lacrosse itself. We did a very good job of it and I’m very proud of my team for their focus and their hard work.”

UNC struck first less than five minutes into the first half with an unassisted goal from midfielder Laura Zimmerman. And the Tar Heels never looked back.

North Carolina continued to outperform the Cavalier squad, keeping UVa. scoreless for nearly 22 minutes in the first half. The Tar Heels led 11-2 at the end of the half after attackers Kristen Taylor and Corey Donohoe each had a goal in the final eight seconds. 

Donohoe, who leads UNC in scoring with 51 season goals, came into the matchup second in the conference in points per game (3.83).

There was no doubt the emotionally spent Cavaliers struggled, but Virginia coach Julie Meyers didn’t want to make excuses for her team.

“We played against a Carolina team that was ready to roll,” Meyers said. “Clearly what we’ve been through I wouldn’t say has helped us, but I wouldn’t blame (the loss) on that either.”

But dealing with Love’s death was not the only thing plaguing the Cavaliers on Saturday. Three UVa. starters were sidelined due to ACL tears.

“Those kids will heal,” Meyers said. “It’s the phone call that we got three weeks ago that we knew wasn’t going to be fixed in a hospital. Yeardley has put all these little injuries in perspective.”

Zimmerman, who led the Tar Heels in scoring with four goals, chipped in two additional scores in less than two minutes after intermission. Taylor and Donohoe each contributed a hat trick and an assist against the Cavaliers.

Virginia handed North Carolina one of its two losses earlier this season when UNC fell in overtime 13-12. But since then the Tar Heels have won 10 of their last 11 games and are undefeated on their home turf.

Now 17-2, the Tar Heels have tied the school record for most wins in a single season. They will look for their record breaking 18th victory in Towson, M.D.  Friday when UNC takes on No. 2 Northwestern in the NCAA semifinals.

Levy and Meyers, both UVa. alumnae, were members of the Virginia women’s lacrosse national championship team in 1991. And when the final seconds ticked off the clock at Fetzer Field, the former teammates turned rival coaches met in an embrace.

“We have tremendous empathy and support for the program,” Levy said. “I’m just very impressed with the courage that their team showed today.”