After 16 wins — including two NCAA tournament wins — and an outright regular season Ivy championship, the No. 7 ranked women’s lacrosse (16–4 overall, 6–1 Ivy League) saw their season come to an end in the NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 University of North Carolina (20–0, 9–0 Atlantic Coast Conference) on Thursday afternoon.
Head Coach Jenn Cook returned to Chapel Hill at the helm of Tiger lacrosse for the first time since she played with the Tar Heels from 2004–2007. In that span, Cook was a two-time Tewaaraton nominee and three-time All-American. She still holds the UNC record for most career ground balls with 200.
For the Tar Heels, they’re no stranger to the big stage. The hosts have made the NCAA tournament for 20 consecutive years and now return to the Final Four for the first time since 2022, the year they won their third title in program history. They will play No. 4 Florida on Friday, May 23 for a trip to the NCAA title game.
The game also marked the end of senior attacker Mckenzie Blake’s career at Old Nassau. Blake finished with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections. The Ivy attacker of the Year was a second-team All-American selection for both USA Lacrosse Magazine and Nike. Other key losses for the team include senior midfielder Sophie Whiteway and senior defender Sam Whiting.
After both sides exchanged goals, an 8–0 Tar Heel ran over a span of nearly 20 minutes, putting the game out of reach for the Tigers. Despite cutting the lead to seven early in the fourth quarter, UNC never looked back en route to a 19–10 win.
The NCAA quarterfinal appearance was Princeton’s first since 2019. That year, the Orange and Black similarly lost to then No. 1 Boston College 17–12.
After the Tar Heels took an early lead, Whiteway tied the game at one with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter. Two late goals saw UNC take a 3–1 lead into the second quarter.
The Tigers were lucky not to be trailing by more, as the Tar Heels failed to convert multiple opportunities. Junior goalkeeper Amelia Hughes made five saves as the Tiger defense kept the nation’s top scoring offense at bay.
UNC attacker Chloe Humphrey scored her 78th goal of the season to put the hosts up 4–1 to start the second period. Humphrey and her sister, fellow attacker Ashley Humphrey, are two of the five finalists for the Tewaaraton, given to the best player in college lacrosse.
The Tar Heels continued to dominate, leading 9–1 with under a minute remaining in the first half. Junior attacker Jami MacDonald scored to stop the bleeding as the Tigers trailed 9–2 heading into the locker room.
In 30 minutes of play, UNC had 17 shots on goal compared to six for Princeton. Furthermore, the Tar Heels won nine of 13 draws and were winning the turnover battle.
The beginning of the third quarter saw an NCAA record go down. Ashley Humphrey’s assist to attacker Caroline Godine was her 247th career assist, breaking the previous record of 246 set by Stony Brook’s Kylie Ohlmiller.
Princeton scored back to back goals for the first time in the game after Blake and senior attacker Nina Montes found the back of the net to cut the Tar Heel lead to seven, 11–4. At the end of the third, UNC led 14–6 with MacDonald scoring the final two goals of the quarter for Princeton.
Blake scored twice more in the final quarter, with MacDonald and junior attacker Haven Dora each adding a tally of their own. Despite their efforts, the Tiges fell 19–10 to the nation’s only undefeated team.
Across the game, UNC had 35 shots on goal compared to Princeton’s 19 while forcing 11 Tiger turnovers during the 60 minutes. Hughes finished with a season high 16 saves for the Orange and Black, while MacDonald and Blake paced the offense with four and three goals, respectively.
Despite the loss, the Tigers have improved every season under Cook. After 10 seasons with the Tigers as an assistant coach (2012–2017) and associate head coach (2018–2022), Cook assumed the head coaching role in 2023.
In 2023, the Tigers went a disappointing 7–9 and failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament. However, last season, Cook’s squad finished 11–7 before losing to then No. 2 Boston College in the second round. Despite this, the Tigers failed to win the Ivy League regular season title or the tournament.
This year, things clicked immediately for a veteran-heavy Tiger team as they won five additional games, won an additional game in the NCAA tournament, and added an outright Ivy League title to their trophy room.
Despite this game marking the end of Blake’s legendary career, the Tigers return the attacking trio of Dora, MacDonald, and Morrisroe. The trio combined for 125 goals and 98 assists this season. In goal, the Tigers will also return Hughes, who has been a three-year starter for Cook.
Hayk Yengibaryan is an associate News editor, senior Sports writer, and education director for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
GSG approves audit, delays budget approval after ‘insufferable’ meeting
Nikki HanThe final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
The final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.