North Carolina advances to national title after dismantling Maryland in NCAA semifinals

North Carolina has secured its place in the NCAA women’s lacrosse national title game following a commanding 16-6 victory over Maryland in the semifinals. The match, held in Evanston, Illinois, concluded a season-long campaign for the Terps that ended in a comprehensive defeat, extending their drought of national championships to seven consecutive years.

The contest was defined by North Carolina’s superior shooting efficiency and Maryland’s inability to maintain possession. The Tar Heels, seeded second, outshot the Terps 27 to 12 on target. North Carolina’s sophomore Chloe Humphrey ignited the offense early in the first quarter, scoring three goals in a 90-second span. This surge was catalysed by a turnover from Maryland’s Lexi Dupcak, which allowed Humphrey to capitalise on a breakaway opportunity.

Maryland, the third seed, struggled significantly with ball control throughout the match. The Terps committed 15 turnovers and recorded only 23 total shots, with just 12 directed at the goal. Their offensive rhythm was particularly disrupted in the second half, where they failed to score for nearly 28 minutes. The Terps also faced challenges with free-position opportunities, a area of difficulty that persisted throughout the season, despite converting two early in the game.

Key personnel changes also impacted the flow of the match. Maryland’s Kennedy Major returned from a left knee injury sustained in the quarterfinals but appeared limited, moving gingerly and focusing on covering secondary attackers. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s Addison Patillo capitalised on favourable one-on-one matchups, scoring five goals to lead the Tar Heels’ attack.

The result marks the 15th time Maryland has fallen short in the semifinals since 1984, despite leading the nation with 29 such appearances. Head coach Cathy Reese now faces significant roster turnover, with 12 players exiting the program this offseason, necessitating a rebuild as the Terps look to return to the national stage.