Top-seeded Heels women’s lacrosse advances to ACC semis

uncwomensxcrossSenior Kelly Devlin led UNC with a career-high four goals, three of which came in the second half. Sydney Holman scored three goals while assisting on three others, and Maggie Bill added a hat trick for the Tar Heels (14-2).

Top-seeded North Carolina responded to eighth-seeded Virginia Tech’s challenge.

After trailing much of the first half and holding just a one-goal lead at intermission, the Tar Heels eased away for an 18-12 victory Thursday in the opening quarterfinal game of the 2015 Atlantic Coast Women’s Lacrosse Championship at Klockner Stadium.

“The biggest difference between the two halves is that shots started falling in the second half,” UNC coach Jenny Levy said. “I thought Meg Ward and Caylee Waters did a nice job of coming in and making saves. They scored 7 of their 9 shots in the first half, and that is not something that Caylee (Waters) has done much, but she will be better tomorrow. We don’t lack any confidence in her, but I also think that shooters had their hands free and had nice shots. We were happy with the effort today. I thought we were sloppy in a lot of places and obviously tomorrow is a new day and we will play a lot better tomorrow than we did today.”

All-ACC attack Megan Will scored three goals – all in the first half – for the Hokies (6-11), and fellow senior Meg Bartley also had a hat trick.

The nationally second-ranked Tar Heels will carry a six-game winning streak into Friday’s 1 p.m. semifinal matchup against the winner of Thursday’s second quarterfinal game between fourth-seeded Virginia and fifth-seeded Notre Dame. UNC improved to 21-0 all-time versus Virginia Tech with Thursday’s win, including a pair of victories this season.

UNC led 8-7 at the end of a first half that proved a study in contrasts in scoring production. Virginia Tech’s Will already had her hat trick by intermission, while seven different players scored the Tar Heels’ first seven goals.

The first UNC player to score multiple goals – junior attack Aly Messinger – connected for her second score with one second showing on the first-half clock to provide the Tar Heels with their halftime edge.

UNC outshot the Hokies 24-10 in the first half, and Virginia Tech keeper Meagh Graham already had 10 saves at the break. She finished with 12 for the game.

Messinger, Carly Reed and Marie McCool all finished with two goals for the Tar Heels. McCool also scooped up four ground balls and caused a pair of turnovers.

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