Site: High Point, N.C. (Vert Stadium)
Score: North Carolina 24, High Point 3
Records: North Carolina (2-0, 0-0 ACC), HPU (1-1, 0-0 Big South)
Next HPU Event: Saturday, Feb. 22 — vs No. 17 James Madison (Vert Stadium), 1 p.m.
HIGH POINT, N.C. – No. 20-ranked High Point University women’s lacrosse team was defeated by No. 1 North Carolina, 24-3, on Friday (Feb. 14) evening at Vert Stadium.
North Carolina opened the game with a quick spurt of goals, initiated by Ally Mastroianni 30 seconds into the contest. The Tarheels followed it up with another goal by Katie Hoeng, putting the Panthers in a 2-0 hole just two minutes into the match. National Preseason Player of the Year Jamie Ortega got things going for herself as she added a third to bring the UNC lead to 3-0 with 26 minutes left in the first half.
High Point was able to get into a groove offensively toward the end of the first period after a long bout of possession saw the home side draw a penalty on the Tarheels. Rachel Foster earned a free position shot and converted at the 8:41 mark, for her fourth goal of the year. The teams battled closely to end the half with UNC taking a 15-1 lead.
The Panthers came out of the locker room and took immediate control, winning the opening draw control and getting good opportunities in North Carolina’s defensive end. High Point was finally able to break the seal after a contested run at goal proved to be successful for Ashley Britton. Britton scored High Point’s second goal, cutting North Carolina’s lead to 16-2.
The Tarheels would counter, scoring five unanswered goals. Two from Jamie Ortega while Scottie Rose Growney and Katie Hoeng each found the back of the net once, giving North Carolina a 20-2 lead midway through the second period.
High Point was able to put one in the back of the net in the closing moments of the game, thanks to Nicole Pugh. The junior scored at the 3:07 mark to put the score at 24-3 in favor of the visiting side.
High Point continues its homestand at Vert Stadium on Saturday (Feb. 22) when it hosts No. 17 James Madison at 1 p.m.