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For the third time in program history, No. 2 Boston College lacrosse defeated No. 5 North Carolina 17-11 Saturday afternoon in Newton, pushing their undefeated record to 12-0 on the season.
Following their record-setting victory over Yale earlier in the week, the Eagles once again extended the longest win streak in program history.
Unlike Tuesday’s victory, BC came out in a hurry, scoring the first two goals of the game with quick passing and timely turnovers. Junior Taylor Walker opened scoring with a steal in the midfield that also left a lane for her to penetrate and score. Just a few minutes later, Senior Emma Schurr added a goal to put the Eagles up 2-0 early.
However, the early fire began to subside as the first half continued. The Tar Heels would eventually go on a 5-1 scoring run over the next fifteen minutes and change to lead the Eagles 5-3 at the 8:19 mark. A large part of UNC’s success was based around their defense, especially on the NCAA’s leading goal scorer Sam Apuzzo.
Yet, with just over three minutes remaining in the half, the star junior attacker came alive. Netting two consecutive goals to knot the game at five apiece, Apuzzo also became the first player to reach 50 goals on the season.
By halftime, the Eagles pushed ahead to lead the Tar Heels 6-5 after a string of sharp passes ended in the back of the net off the stick of Walker once again. BC seemed to return to their early form by the end of the first period, playing at their usual high tempo and increasing the game’s overall speed.
As the second half rolled on, the Eagles and Tar Heels battled back and forth. Goals from the game’s two standout players, BC’s Apuzzo and UNC’s Marie McCool, amongst others left the Eagles up just a single score at 11-10 with about twelve minutes remaining.
Looking for another tie, the Tar Heels furiously attacked the net, but goalkeeper Lauren Daly, reigning ACC Defensive Player of the Week, made a clutch save to keep the Eagles goal lead. However, the key save did not just preserve the lead, but also ignited a scoring run that put the Tar Heels away for good.
Over the next six minutes, BC would score six goals in a row to lead UNC 17-10. Keeping the foot on the pedal, the Eagles defense also suffocated any Tar Heels opportunities to the tune of a twelve minute scoring drought.
By game’s end, BC won by a comfortable margin at 17-11, handing UNC its third loss of the season and first in the ACC at 6-3 overall.
The Eagles will look to continue the magic next Saturday on the road against No. 10 Virginia at noon. With already five ranked wins on the season, head coach Acacia Walker and company will be looking for yet another impactful win on the historic year.
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I idolize Theo Epstein for bringing me the best day of my life (Cubs 2016 World Series Championship). If I'm not watching women's soccer, I'm likely eating raw pasta.
