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Women's Lacrosse

Gallery: Syracuse falls in ACC championship to North Carolina for 2nd year in a row

Syracuse and North Carolina each finished with 14 groundballs on Sunday when competing for the ACC tournament championship.
Syracuse and North Carolina each finished with 14 groundballs on Sunday when competing for the ACC tournament championship. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
“It was a game of runs,” SU head coach Gary Gait said. “We just didn’t have an answer for the last one.”
“It was a game of runs,” SU head coach Gary Gait said. “We just didn’t have an answer for the last one.” Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
North Carolina goalie Caylee Waters made seven saves on 18 shots on Sunday afternoon.
North Carolina goalie Caylee Waters made seven saves on 18 shots on Sunday afternoon. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
Alie Jimerson had a goal on two shots and also turned the ball over against the Tar Heels.
Alie Jimerson had a goal on two shots and also turned the ball over against the Tar Heels. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
North Carolina’s Molly Hendrick had career-best nine-point performance, including getting her hat trick off a free-position shot.
North Carolina’s Molly Hendrick had career-best nine-point performance, including getting her hat trick off a free-position shot. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
North Carolina used possession time to fuel its 7-2 run to end the first half after SU went up 4-0.
North Carolina used possession time to fuel its 7-2 run to end the first half after SU went up 4-0. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
“We played so much defense in the second half,” SU head coach Gary Gait said after the game. “It was unbelievable. You just get tired.
“We played so much defense in the second half,” SU head coach Gary Gait said after the game. “It was unbelievable. You just get tired. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
Syracuse won the turnover battle (16 to 18), but couldn't win enough on the draw for it to make a difference.
Syracuse won the turnover battle (16 to 18), but couldn't win enough on the draw for it to make a difference. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
North Carolina spaced more. Players drew out from behind the goal because SU freshman goalie Asa Goldstock jumped out of the cage several times in the first half to fend off UNC shots near the crease.
North Carolina spaced more. Players drew out from behind the goal because SU freshman goalie Asa Goldstock jumped out of the cage several times in the first half to fend off UNC shots near the crease. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
Neena Merola (18) had one goal on two shots.
Neena Merola (18) had one goal on two shots. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
The Orange may have held an advantage in fouls, but the Orange failed to convert offensively late and it cost them the game.
The Orange may have held an advantage in fouls, but the Orange failed to convert offensively late and it cost them the game. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
North Carolina's Marie McCool had a goal and an assist on eight shots.
North Carolina's Marie McCool had a goal and an assist on eight shots. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
Syracuse didn't score in the final 18:38 of the game.
Syracuse didn't score in the final 18:38 of the game. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
Of Syracuse's 26 shots on Sunday, 18 were on goal.
Of Syracuse's 26 shots on Sunday, 18 were on goal. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
Syracuse lost draw controls to North Carolina by a final tally of 22 to nine.
Syracuse lost draw controls to North Carolina by a final tally of 22 to nine. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
Gary Gait has won plenty of championships himself, but he's still looking for the one national championship to define his coaching legacy.
Gary Gait has won plenty of championships himself, but he's still looking for the one national championship to define his coaching legacy. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer
Syracuse edged North Carolina in free position shots (seven to six), but it didn't help the Orange much in its loss.
Syracuse edged North Carolina in free position shots (seven to six), but it didn't help the Orange much in its loss. Cody Hendrix | Staff Photographer

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By Cody Hendrix

Top-seeded North Carolina (16-2, 6-1 Atlantic Coast) used a 9-0 second-half run to glide past No. 2 seed Syracuse (15-6, 5-2) at Sports Backers Stadium near the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. The Orange jetted out to an early lead, 4-0, only to go down one at the half. UNC commanded the draw control game 22 to nine, giving its eighth-ranked offense time to hang 18 goals — including six in a three-minute, 19-second spurt — on SU and claim its second consecutive ACC title.

Published on May 1, 2017 at 12:56 am

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