With the series split at 12 games a piece and No. 4 North Carolina (4-0) seeking its first win in Annapolis, Md. since 2001, it seemed almost like the Tar Heels were due to turn the tide.
The Tar Heels, who started 3-0 for the third straight year, were in search of their fourth win in a row.
They were successful, winning 11-4.
UNC began hot. The Tar Heels scored two goals in the first period and held the Midshipmen scoreless by winning every faceoff and only allowing five shots.
But Navy battled back. In the second quarter, the Midshipmen won all eight faceoffs and did a better job with groundballs, two fairly important facets of the game. However the most important part was where Navy still struggled — goals.
At halftime, despite winning a few battles, Navy only matched one of the Tar Heels four second-quarter goals as North Carolina took a 6-1 lead.
UNC All-American junior Billy Bitter recorded three straight assists on the Tar Heels first three goals of the period.
With a series that has seen seven of its last games decided by one goal, it wouldn't have been unresonable to expect Navy to make a second half run at the win.
But the second half was all UNC as the Tar Heels sunk the Midshipmen's hopes.
UNC used a five-goal third period headed by senior attackman Gavin Petracca who recorded four assists during the quarter.
Navy only found the back of the net once in that period and was down 11-2 with only one quarter remaining.
Nothing short of a miracle would have given the Midshipmen the win, and Navy ended up falling short.
Along with Petracca, who finished with with two goals and five assists, the Tar Heels were led by senior Sean DeLaney's five points and freshman Marcus Holman's four goals.
With the win, UNC takes the 13-12 edge in the series and will be able to build off its success in preperation for its next game on March 6 against University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
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