Despite losing a four-goal lead in the final 5:28 of regulation, UNC found a winning goal in sudden-death overtime to beat No. 8 Virginia 16-15 in a thriller in Charlottesville Saturday.
? HEELS WIN#GoHeels x @WellsFargo pic.twitter.com/Y9oX8zVRcf
— UNC Men's Lacrosse (@UNCMensLacrosse) April 18, 2026
In a topsy-turvy game, the Tar Heels found themselves trailing 3-0 inside the game’s first seven minutes, but led 6-3 by the end of the first quarter thanks to a flurry of goals, including two from Dominic Pietramala and Brady Wambach in a span of seven seconds. Owen Duffy then scored 49 seconds into the second quarter to cap a 7-0 UNC run.
The Tar Heels kept the Cavaliers at arm’s length for much of the game, never letting Virginia get closer than a two-goal deficit. Mason Szewczyk netted his first goal of the game with 6:45 to go in the fourth quarter, putting UNC up 15-11 and seemingly in a comfortable position. But Virginia wasted little time in whittling that lead away, scoring three goals in a span of 2:20 to pull to within 15-14. It was the closest the game had been since the score was 4-3 in the first quarter.
The Cavaliers waited until literally the final second of the game to equalize, scoring with one tick left on the clock after a failed UNC defensive clearance. The game went to overtime tied at 15-15.
In the overtime period, Carolina was unfazed by the momentum shift. After Wambach won the opening faceoff, Pietramala uncorked a shot which was saved by the Virginia goalie, but James Matan cleaned up the loose rebound and slotted home the game winner.
Matan with the game winner ?
Hoos house, our house ? pic.twitter.com/kzbaLSAeUO
— UNC Men's Lacrosse (@UNCMensLacrosse) April 18, 2026
Saturday’s win was the first for UNC in overtime since 2021, and also marked the first time the Tar Heels have beaten Virginia in back-to-back seasons since 2016 and 2017. The Tar Heels are now 11-2 overall and 2-1 in ACC play and will wrap up the regular season when they host No. 15 Duke at Dorrance Field Saturday, April 25 at 12 p.m.
Featured image via UNC Athletic Communications/Jeffrey A. Camarati
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
Overtime Winner Helps UNC Men’s Lacrosse Escape No. 8 Virginia Chapelboro.com.
Hence then, the article about overtime winner helps unc men s lacrosse escape no 8 virginia was published today ( ) and is available on chapelboro ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Overtime Winner Helps UNC Men’s Lacrosse Escape No. 8 Virginia )
Also on site :
- What to Know About Allegations of Excessive Drinking by FBI Director Kash Patel
- Gunman opens fire and seizes supermarket in Kiev (VIDEOS)
- The Critically Acclaimed 2012 Best-Seller Named the 'Best Novel of the Century': 'Every Word is Finely Tuned'