UNC Women’s Lacrosse 2025-2026
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I obviously saw the 13-0 score and have been able to watch a few minutes, but 27-0 on shots?!? That is insane.
12 turnovers forced by UNC in one half.
When Pitt does get the ball, UNC has swarmed them- Pitt having a hard time getting ball up field. BTW I thought we did good job with the pressure we put on Clemson to get ball up as well- they had to call several timeouts because of it.
Eva Ingrilli scores her first goal in 2 years. (A brief appearance in the Clemson game was the first time she has played since 2024.)
Yes they do but I like how we are getting some important pieces back in BWW and Eva. That will be important as we move forward.
BTW loved seeing everyone get so excited when Eva scored her 1st goal today.
Pitt is the team that beat dook 17-10, which is the team that beat BC 17-6.
Twelve minutes to go - dook just scored to go ahead 10-9.
4:40 to go; still 10-9 dook
4:26 10-10
1:50 Stanford 11-10
dook wins the draw; Stanford awarded the ball on a strange call — apparently dook tried to call time out but didn’t have possession, so the ball was awarded to Stanford on alternate possession (at least that’s what the announcer seemed to be saying)
Stanford wins 11-10
The color commentator was a former Stanford player — she said the Cardinal was struggling with dook’s man defense; apparently Stanford has seen little or no man defense, so perhaps that bodes well for UNC. Stanford comes to Chapel Hill on Friday, April 10 for a 6:00 pm game.
4:40 to go; still 10-9 dook
4:26 10-10
1:50 Stanford 11-10
dook wins the draw; Stanford awarded the ball on a strange call — apparently dook tried to call time out but didn’t have possession, so the ball was awarded to Stanford on alternate possession (at least that’s what the announcer seemed to be saying)
Stanford wins 11-10
The color commentator was a former Stanford player — she said the Cardinal was struggling with dook’s man defense; apparently Stanford has seen little or no man defense, so perhaps that bodes well for UNC. Stanford comes to Chapel Hill on Friday, April 10 for a 6:00 pm game.
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I was thinking the same. However I dont think it was intensity but we looked tighter against Clemson. I do think Clemson had something to do with it. Granted I haven't seen Stanford play this year but going into the season Clemson was the team I thought would test UNC the most in the ACC. By the end of the year, that win at Clemson might have been crucial for this team- in gaining more toughness and experience.
Today’s game vs. Cal is the midpoint of the regular season for the UNC women’s lacrosse team (8th of 15 games). I saw a write-up this morning that the 2026 UNC defense has given up only 6.7 goals/game. By comparison, last year’s team averaged giving up 6.9 goals/game. While this suggests that the 2026 defense > than the 2025 defense, it overlooks some very salient statistical facts.
1. The schedule. The first seven games of 2026 featured only two ranked teams — Clemson (9/10) and Syracuse (14/15) (ranking based on this week‘s polls). Cal, today’s opponent is unranked. The final seven regular season games match the Heels against six ranked teams — Stanford (2/2), Northwestern (4/4), Florida (6/7), Duke (13/15), Boston College (16/17) and Virginia (21/21). To reiterate, six of the eight ranked teams on UNC’s schedule have yet to be played.
2. Opponent’s shooting percentages. The opponents’ shooting percentage in 2026 is .448; last season the shooting percentage was .309. On free position shots, this year’s opponents are shooting .619; last season it was .276. UNC is holding 2026 opponents to 6.7 by keeping opponent shots to only 15 shots/game. Last season’s 6.9 goals/game was based on 22.2 opponent shots/game.
I don’t want come across as Chicken Little (“the sky is falling”), but there are reasons to feel a little unsettled by the season to this point. Furthermore, there are reasons to be concerned about the offense as well, which have been masked by an easy schedule (e.g., UNC is averaging 19.4 goals/game but only 12.5 goals against ranked teams). One offensive concern is that our best feeder can’t feed our best finisher because they are both Chloe Humphrey.
The good news is that four of the games against ranked opponents are home games, including all three top-10 teams. Last season UNC peaked in the late season, and I think that this is likely this season as well. Furthermore, losing a game wouldn’t be the end of the world and could provide a wake-up call.
This is not intended to be a doomsday forecast, but I’m sure that some will interpret it as such. One factor that makes me optimistic is that we have Chloe Humphrey and I am confident that she will rise to the occasion when necessary.
I went to the Clemson game last week — there was a tale of two halves. If I get a chance I will examine the second half, particularly the 4th quarter, where the Heels were outscored 1-5.
1. The schedule. The first seven games of 2026 featured only two ranked teams — Clemson (9/10) and Syracuse (14/15) (ranking based on this week‘s polls). Cal, today’s opponent is unranked. The final seven regular season games match the Heels against six ranked teams — Stanford (2/2), Northwestern (4/4), Florida (6/7), Duke (13/15), Boston College (16/17) and Virginia (21/21). To reiterate, six of the eight ranked teams on UNC’s schedule have yet to be played.
2. Opponent’s shooting percentages. The opponents’ shooting percentage in 2026 is .448; last season the shooting percentage was .309. On free position shots, this year’s opponents are shooting .619; last season it was .276. UNC is holding 2026 opponents to 6.7 by keeping opponent shots to only 15 shots/game. Last season’s 6.9 goals/game was based on 22.2 opponent shots/game.
I don’t want come across as Chicken Little (“the sky is falling”), but there are reasons to feel a little unsettled by the season to this point. Furthermore, there are reasons to be concerned about the offense as well, which have been masked by an easy schedule (e.g., UNC is averaging 19.4 goals/game but only 12.5 goals against ranked teams). One offensive concern is that our best feeder can’t feed our best finisher because they are both Chloe Humphrey.
The good news is that four of the games against ranked opponents are home games, including all three top-10 teams. Last season UNC peaked in the late season, and I think that this is likely this season as well. Furthermore, losing a game wouldn’t be the end of the world and could provide a wake-up call.
This is not intended to be a doomsday forecast, but I’m sure that some will interpret it as such. One factor that makes me optimistic is that we have Chloe Humphrey and I am confident that she will rise to the occasion when necessary.
I went to the Clemson game last week — there was a tale of two halves. If I get a chance I will examine the second half, particularly the 4th quarter, where the Heels were outscored 1-5.
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Also, we all know that replacing Ashley Humphrey was going take time. Your stats are confirming what we already knew from an offensive standpoint. AH was the quarterback of our team last year, she was also the leader and glue on the offensive of the ball. It is going to take some time for them to adjust and to find out who can take on AH role from last year. We were hoping that TC would be the one to handle the quarterback role but she got hurt again and is out. Also, BWW is just now coming back on the defensive side. Her first game back was against Clemson. There was another girl on the defensive side who just got back from injury as well. That is why I do not like to compare last year's team with this year's team. We also have players who are playing more minutes on the offense end that did not play as many minutes last year. It is going to take time for them to develop chemistry, rhythm, etc. The bottom line is as long as we win that is all that matters; whether it be by 1 goal or 10 goals, the question should be: Did we not win?
The defense has certainly been shaky, but a LOT of that is the play of Nelson has not matched her play last season. She's flashed some of her old self in recent games, but still erratic.
Nobody wants to read negative comments. What was I thinking?
Chloe Humphrey is incredibly talented.
Carolina’s second team is better than the first string of some of the teams we have played; accordingly, we have pounded them.
Chloe Humphrey is incredibly talented.
Carolina’s second team is better than the first string of some of the teams we have played; accordingly, we have pounded them.
Unc80, you have a very good point. I would like to add that last year we had a healthy Zink that played. When Nelson struggled, Zink came in and picked up the slack. Also. Jeny did play Nelson and Zink in the majority of the games last year. One played one half and the other played the other half. We do not have that right now since Zink has been hurt. Does anyone know when Zink is suppose to return? Having two strong good goalies allows Jeny to do that and it will put pressure on Nelson to play up to her standard, and she is not able to do that, Zink would replace her. Right now, we do not have anyone to put pressure on Nelson. The Freshman goalie that came in is not ready yet. I am sure if Zink was healthy Jeny and staff would have put Zink in for her.
Lexi Zenk played the second half of four games last year. The two critical games, for which she was credited with wins, were Virginia and Boston College. For the season she played 200 minutes and had very good stats: .575 save percentage and a 5.10 goals against average.
Our defense is concerning and will need to step up, with everyone including Betty being mentally tough, stay focused to prevent shots first then stopping any that are taken.
Go Heels! Let's win them all!
Go Heels! Let's win them all!
But I will say this about the TV production, it is the absolute worst I've ever seen, if that's what they're going for.
I tuned in with my fingers crossed that Dr Ty would call this game with his sidekick miafontana and they could discuss the size of the crowd and the quality of the pitch. Color me disappointed with the NPR-style color commentator.
I appreciate the points made above about the possible weaknesses in this team vs 2025. I'll say that their pressure on the ride looks far better than last year. If they can keep that pressure up and continue to cause turnovers between the lines, then the defense (including goalkeeping) may not need to be as good as last year.
I appreciate the points made above about the possible weaknesses in this team vs 2025. I'll say that their pressure on the ride looks far better than last year. If they can keep that pressure up and continue to cause turnovers between the lines, then the defense (including goalkeeping) may not need to be as good as last year.
USA Lacrosse Magazine has published its annual preseason girls high school All-American Watch List. In this article, five players from five regions are selected. Of the 25 players on the list, six are UNC commits.
Class of 2026: Sophia Buffardi (NY), Cece Powell (NY), Alivian Parmer (PA) and Leele Bigelow (CO)
Class of 2027: Emma Switter (FL), Giana Bigelow (CO)
Here’s is the article: https://www.usalacrosse.com/magazin...chool-girls-preseason-all-american-watch-list
Class of 2026: Sophia Buffardi (NY), Cece Powell (NY), Alivian Parmer (PA) and Leele Bigelow (CO)
Class of 2027: Emma Switter (FL), Giana Bigelow (CO)
Here’s is the article: https://www.usalacrosse.com/magazin...chool-girls-preseason-all-american-watch-list
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I am just employing the eye test here, but The UNC defense was clearly experiencing some lapses in the first few games. Nelson was struggling and the absence of BWW was felt. But I feel, (without statistical evidence, admittedly) that we are performing better now.
To your point on the upcoming tougher schedule, it is certainly true that teams like Stanford and NW will present an entire different level of competition than what we have played so far. And it is indeed near impossible to take what we did versus Clemson and Cuse and extrapolate that to top 5 competition. The gulf is too wide between good and elite.
I will ALWAYS appreciate a good Dr Ty reference. That man's color commentary will be etched in my brain forever.
I think a lot of the “UNC’s defense isn’t as good as last year” is actually the result of the new NCAA rule environment, not a sudden drop‑off in talent or execution.
This season’s officiating emphasis —
I just think the rules changed more than the defense did. And now the personnel is rounding into form.
I do worry that we aren't getting tested too much against most teams but I am sure the staff gives the defense plenty of tests/experience in practices against our offense. Also I agree with JohnnyYen that pressure on the ride looks far better than last year.
This season’s officiating emphasis —
- more consistent shooting‑space enforcement
- 1‑minute releasable cards anywhere on the field
- faster whistles
- more advantage‑signal stoppages — all tilt the game toward the offense and create the appearance of a defense that’s scrambling more often.
- BWW returning has stabilized things
- Leonard has taken a big step forward
- Betty looks like she’s turned the corner (I thought the Clemson game was big for her)
I just think the rules changed more than the defense did. And now the personnel is rounding into form.
I do worry that we aren't getting tested too much against most teams but I am sure the staff gives the defense plenty of tests/experience in practices against our offense. Also I agree with JohnnyYen that pressure on the ride looks far better than last year.
Pattillo is now tied for 2d in the ACC for goals/game.