Duke lacrosse routs UNC with dominant second-half performance
The Duke lacrosse program sent its seniors out in style.
After a lengthy weather delay and trailing by one point at halftime, the Duke lacrosse team (11-5, 3-2 ACC) scored eight straight goals in the third quarter and cruised to a 19-11 Senior Night victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels (8-6, 1-5 ACC) on Sunday.
The eight straight goals represented an overall 13-4 second-half run for the Blue Devils. Duke had 11 players score at least a goal for the game. And three of them put it in the back of the net three times.
Wash, rinse, repeat for Duke lacrosse against Tar Heels
The game was largely a carbon copy of the first game in Chapel Hill. It was once again a close first half, only for Duke to turn on the jets in the second half.
The Duke defense especially seems to really love playing against UNC this season. After giving up five goals in the first quarter, the Blue Devils held the Tar Heels to just six goals over the next 45 minutes, including holding them scoreless for a stretch of 21:25 that spanned the second and third quarters.
Three players in royal blue led the defensive charge. Junior Tyler Carpenter registered a career-high eight ground balls and forced a turnover. Meanwhile, Wilson Stephenson and Kenny Brower both had three ground balls. Brower also forced two turnovers.
What’s next for Duke lacrosse
The Blue Devils travel to South Bend on Saturday for a rematch with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Notre Dame defeated Duke, 16-15, in Durham on April 9. This is likely a win-or-go-home scenario for both teams as they look to make the NCAA Tournament field.
Game time will be at noon on ESPN2.
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