Feb. 26, 2012
CHAPEL HILL – Despite hat-tricks from sophomore Katie Mastropieri and senior All-American Ally Carey, the 10th-ranked Vanderbilt women’s lacrosse team fell to third-ranked North Carolina, 18-9, Sunday at Fetzer Field.
“Unfortunately, we got a really slow start today and could not make up the deficit,” VU Head Coach Cathy Swezey said. “We were able to close it a bit in the second half, but gave up four goals at the end when we came out defensively against their stall. We will regroup and be ready for Stanford.”
The Tar Heels (5-0) scored the game’s first four goals before Mastropieri put the Commodores (1-1) on the board at the 20:29 mark of the first half. The teams would trade goals, with VU senior Hannah Clark answering a UNC goal her first of the season and Mastropieri adding a second tally two minutes later, before UNC scored a pair to take an 8-3 lead.
Back-to-back goals by Carey and junior Carly Linthicum brought the Dores back within three before Carolina closed the half with two of its own to take a 10-5 advantage into the break.
After giving up two quick goals to open the second half, Vanderbilt fought back with three consecutive scores. Senior Kendall Pittinger caused a UNC turnover and classmate Kacie Connors notched a goal at the 24:35 mark. Carey would win the ensuing draw, which was converted to a Commodore goal just 20 seconds later by Mastropieri.
Five minutes elapsed before the Commodores found the back of the net again, with Carey narrowing the deficit to 12-8. But the Tar Heels would score six of the game’s final seven goals to secure the victory.
Senior goalkeeper Natalie Wills totaled 10 saves for the Commodores while causing one UNC turnover and picking up two ground balls. Vanderbilt did hold a 16-13 advantage on the draw thanks in large part to seven draw controls by Carey.
The Commodores managed only 18 shots, compared to 30 for the Tar Heels. Mastropieri led VU with seven shots. The Tar Heels were led in scoring by Laura Zimmerman and Abbey Friend, who each scored five goals in the game.
Vanderbilt will travel to Palo Alto, Calif., next weekend to face Stanford. The Cardinal notched their first win of the season yesterday by defeating No. 9 James Madison, 14-13.
