Northwestern
8-1
#1 North Carolina
7-1
DOWN GOES NO. 1: Northwestern Upsets North Carolina, 13-9
3/19/2023 3:51:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
EVANSTON, Ill. — Emerson Bohlig's opening goal with just 38 seconds left in the first quarter put the Wildcats ahead of the Tar Heels from the jump and Northwestern never looked back in their 13-9 upset win over No. 1 North Carolina.
EMERSON BOHLIG STRIKES FIRST??
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) March 19, 2023
It took the whole quarter, but the 'Cats get on the board first. pic.twitter.com/1uC7FKPhfp
The victory was Northwestern's first over North Carolina since 2014 and the Tar Heels' first regular season loss since 2019. It was also the Wildcats' first win over a No. 1 ranked team since 2019, when the 'Cats bested Maryland 16-11 to win their first Big Ten Tournament title. Northwestern improved to 8-1 on the season and is riding an eight game win streak. Dating back to 2020, Northwestern has won 28 straight home games.
The 'Cats were once again led by Izzy Scane who grabbed four goals, an assist, a ground ball and caused a turnover. Hailey Rhatigan followed with a hat trick and Erin Coykendall, who also celebrated her birthday on Sunday, added two.
THE NASTIEST BEHIND THE BACK GOAL YOU WILL EVER SEE.
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) March 19, 2023
A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR ERIN COYKENDALL??@NU_Sports | @NCAALAX pic.twitter.com/C6bFAtnHEq
Scane has yet to score less than four goals in a game and now totals 46 goals on the season, which leads the nation. She scored three of her four goals in the second quarter, which allowed Northwestern to build a five goal lead and start to run away with it.
The Scane Train has pulled into the station ????
— Northwestern Lax (@NULax) March 19, 2023
Back-to-back goals force a North Carolina time out.
NU 5, UNC 1 | 2Q pic.twitter.com/v0pf1zmmdM
But it was the Wildcat defense that stole the show. Behind monster performances from Molly Laliberty, Kendal Halpern and Samantha White, Northwestern held North Carolina to their lowest goal total of 2023 so far.
Halpern led the defense, posting game highs with four caused turnovers and three ground balls. White followed with three caused turnovers and three ground balls of her own. Laliberty notched 10 saves to round out the Wildcat defense.
After a long home stand, Northwestern will finally hit the road to face John's Hopkins at noon on Thursday before returning to Evanston to face Stanford on Sunday.
