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There’s a world where Syracuse’s regular-season-ending loss to Boston College was the beginning of the end. The Orange had a season-low four goals, zero assists and four draw controls. The catastrophic defeat couldn’t have come at a worse time, with the postseason looming.

But Regy Thorpe wasn’t complacent through SU’s 12-game win streak, preparing him for these predicaments. Why would he be now?

The Orange downed No. 5 seed Virginia 11-9 in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Quarterfinals Wednesday. Doubt crept in when the Cavaliers cut their 10-6 deficit to one score in the fourth quarter. But Emma Muchnick played hero with a season-high four goals.

From now on, SU’s opponents are among the best. But if Syracuse prevails in its next contest versus top-ranked North Carolina, its playoff path looks a bit brighter against more manageable teams.

Here’s everything to know about No. 1 seed UNC (14-1, 10-0 ACC) before its ACC Tournament Semifinals matchup with No. 4 seed Syracuse (13-4, 7-3 ACC):

All-time series

North Carolina leads 14-7.

Last time they played

Syracuse was navigating its most desolate patch this season on Feb. 13, and falling 13-9 to the reigning national champion Tar Heels flashed promise.

SU leading 3-1 after a quarter was unexpected. Muchnick, Molly Guzik and Caroline Trinkaus scored twice, and the Orange led after each of the first two quarters. After being embarrassed the week prior against Maryland, it seemed too good to be true.

UNC’s Kate Levy had four fourth-quarter points, and it was another day at the office for Chloe Humphrey, who notched a hat trick. North Carolina overwhelmed SU with 27 shots on goal, the most the Orange have endured all season. But Dan Guyette was prepared, recording a season-best 14 saves.

It was the antithesis in the opposite pipes, as Betty Nelson made four saves. But North Carolina’s defense found other ways to shine, picking up 21 ground balls to SU’s 10 while forcing 17 turnovers. The Tar Heels seemed to possess the ball the entire contest, leading 15-8 in draw controls.

The Tar Heels report

UNC goes where Humphrey goes. But the bloodcurdling part is it’s far from a one-trick pony.

There’s a reason North Carolina had a conference-best five All-ACC First Team members. Addison Pattillo’s 42 goals — more than any Syracuse player — rank seventh in the conference. Six UNC players are north of 20 scores, and the Tar Heels’ 18.9 goals per game sit miles ahead of the rest of the country.

There’s no team in the ACC controlling more draws per game than UNC (16.3). It does so by committee, with Sarah Gresham and Kaleigh Harden combining for 141 victories.

Because North Carolina governs possession, it doesn’t require much on defense. Only three players have scooped 20-plus ground balls. Nelson’s tasks are minimal, but she still boasts a top-five goals against average in the ACC. She rests late in blowouts, a common occurrence. The Tar Heels have won by at least 20 goals three times.

How Syracuse beats North Carolina

Many try, and most fail. The exception is Northwestern, which eked out a 17-16 overtime win over UNC to exact revenge for the 2025 National Championship. That game set a blueprint for defeating the Tar Heels. The Wildcats converted every free-position opportunity and landed 20 of their 26 shots on goal.

The unfortunate truth for the Orange is their 37.7% shot percentage is the lowest in the ACC. That was exposed at BC when they converted four of 18 tries.

The key is pacing the Tar Heels’ near-20-goal threshold, but Syracuse hasn’t eclipsed 16 all season. Depending on their offense, it may not be the best way for the Orange to triumph Friday.

Rather, it’s the defense. Both sides surrender 7.4 goals a game, but SU’s unit is tested, whereas the Tar Heels don’t need much from theirs because they constantly hold possession. Syracuse places second in ground balls and third in caused turnovers per game in the ACC, and Guyette’s 47.8% save percentage is second.

That’s not to say the Orange can’t possess the ball more. The obstacle is the draw, where UNC’s aforementioned prowess could steer this contest. SU only won two fewer draws than Virginia Wednesday but still wins under eight a game, the fewest in the ACC.

Stat to know: 97%

Besides the Northwestern nail-biter, North Carolina hasn’t lost a game since 2024. To go 22-0 last year is one thing. The Tar Heels had a loaded senior class, with Humphrey’s sister, Ashley Humphrey, leading them with 121 points.

But almost repeating its success in the next season is unheard of. Even with three of its top-four point-getters departing, UNC’s won 36 of its last 37 games — a 97% win rate. While Syracuse has been immune to losing tight games, North Carolina is immune to losing, period.

Player to watch: Chloe Humphrey, attack, No. 2

Humphrey’s nation-best 83 goals and 118 points speak for themselves. She’s the country’s best player and is on track for her second consecutive Tewaaraton Award in only her second full year of college lacrosse. The redshirt sophomore has scored a hat trick in all but one game this season.

Stony Brook legend Kylie Ohlmiller might be shaking in her boots because her 164-point record is on pace to be broken if the Tar Heels make a deep NCAA Tournament run. So is Northwestern attack Madison Taylor’s single-season 109-goal record.

The fact Humphrey leads UNC in caused turnovers (20) doesn’t make sense. If the adjective “flawless” were a lacrosse player, it’s her. Nobody should be taking 159 shots and bagging over half of them.

Humphrey’s a showstopper, and nobody can stop her.

Published on April 23, 2026 at 11:31 pm
Contact Jason: jaglick@syr.edu | @jason_glick