2008 Woodie Awards
Lacrosse suffers heart-breaker vs. Tar Heels
3-1 halftime lead disappears as UNC comes back, 6-5
Brooks Kirchheimer
Issue date: 2/26/08 Section: Sports
The 8th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels overcame early offensive woes, and the Pioneers could not withstand a late charge, as UNC left Denver on Saturday with a 6-5 comeback victory in front of 1,800 fans at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium.
Defense dominated much of the game, with North Carolina ultimately having the narrow but decisive edge.
"I think we played really hard, played really good defense, and I have to give credit to North Carolina," said Head Coach Jamie Munro. "They played great defense and held down our best players."
What looked in the first half to be a second straight home upset by the Pioneers quickly turned after halftime.
Despite the Tar Heels winning the opening face-off, DU powered down the field a couple minutes later and Kyle Widerstedt dished a pass to Emerson Eichler, who drilled a shot into the back of the net for a 1-0 Denver lead. Jamie Lincoln added a man-up goal later in the quarter to give the Pioneers a two-goal lead.
The Tar Heels appeared more comfortable and accustomed to the altitude in the second quarter, especially when Gavin Petracca scored the first of two goals on the afternoon, off an assist from Bart Wagner from right outside of the crease.
The Pioneers committed two quick penalties and looked to be the ones out of breath as they were two-men down, but Brett Koll drove into the circle and scored shorthanded and top shelf on UNC goalie Grant Zimmerman.
Denver held a 3-2 halftime advantage, but it didn't last for long, as Petracca found the net again to tie the game early in the third quarter. The momentum continued for North Carolina as Mathias McCall and Rob Driscoll netted goals to gain a 5-3 lead.
Denver cut the Tar Heels' advantage to 6-5 with 30 seconds remaining, but failed to win the ensuing faceoff, as UNC held on for the triumph.
"I thought that they were pretty explosive at the offensive end, and our defense held them in check," said Tar Heels Head Coach John Haus. "Our goalkeeper played well. We struggled a little bit at the offensive end, but our defense stepped up."
Defense dominated much of the game, with North Carolina ultimately having the narrow but decisive edge.
"I think we played really hard, played really good defense, and I have to give credit to North Carolina," said Head Coach Jamie Munro. "They played great defense and held down our best players."
What looked in the first half to be a second straight home upset by the Pioneers quickly turned after halftime.
Despite the Tar Heels winning the opening face-off, DU powered down the field a couple minutes later and Kyle Widerstedt dished a pass to Emerson Eichler, who drilled a shot into the back of the net for a 1-0 Denver lead. Jamie Lincoln added a man-up goal later in the quarter to give the Pioneers a two-goal lead.
The Tar Heels appeared more comfortable and accustomed to the altitude in the second quarter, especially when Gavin Petracca scored the first of two goals on the afternoon, off an assist from Bart Wagner from right outside of the crease.
The Pioneers committed two quick penalties and looked to be the ones out of breath as they were two-men down, but Brett Koll drove into the circle and scored shorthanded and top shelf on UNC goalie Grant Zimmerman.
Denver held a 3-2 halftime advantage, but it didn't last for long, as Petracca found the net again to tie the game early in the third quarter. The momentum continued for North Carolina as Mathias McCall and Rob Driscoll netted goals to gain a 5-3 lead.
Denver cut the Tar Heels' advantage to 6-5 with 30 seconds remaining, but failed to win the ensuing faceoff, as UNC held on for the triumph.
"I thought that they were pretty explosive at the offensive end, and our defense held them in check," said Tar Heels Head Coach John Haus. "Our goalkeeper played well. We struggled a little bit at the offensive end, but our defense stepped up."
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