The No. 14 UNC women’s lacrosse team (8-5, 4-3 ACC) conquered Virginia Tech (8-6, 2-5 ACC), 13-9, on Saturday afternoon at Dorrance Field.
In the opening three minutes, senior midfielder Alyssa Long put the Tar Heels on the board. Finding room inside the eight-meter arc, Long battled a lonely Hokie goalie to find the back of the net.
Even with the Hokies pushing North Carolina late into the shot clock, sophomore attacker Kiley Mottice forced a low shot that bounced into the net a few minutes later. As the first quarter winded down, UNC looked completely in control.
But Virginia Tech began to find a newfound rhythm halfway through the quarter. In one minute, the Hokies ripped off two consecutive goals to tie the Tar Heels. Although Long met the mesh once more before the buzzer sounded, the Hokies continued to pressure UNC.
As Virginia Tech goalkeeper Jocelyn Torres steadied the defense with three early saves, the Hokies’ offense exploded on the other side of the field. Through the opening minutes of the second quarter, Virginia Tech scored twice and took its first lead.
