March 27, 1999

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The defenses dominated all afternoon on Fetzer Field Saturday as the fifth-ranked North Carolina women's lacrosse team persevered and defeated fourth-ranked Virginia 6-3 in an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup before 200 chilly fans.

Stout defensive efforts on both ends of the field limited both teams' scoring opportunities and both goalkeepers came up big in the goal. But in the end, the Tar Heels had a little more offense as freshmen contributed four goals to the UNC cause. With the win, Carolina won its third match in a row and improved to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the ACC heading into a big matchup next Wednesday at #2 Duke at 7 p.m. The Cavaliers had a two-match winning streak stopped by the Heels and fell to 5-3 overall and 0-2 in the ACC.

For the Tar Heels it was senior goalkeeper Debbie Castine who was the hero of the day. In 60 minutes played she faced 16 shots on goal, stopping 13 of them while allowing only three goals. Virginia junior Francis Segarra also played well for the Cavs, saving 12 shots while allowing six goals.

Carolina never trailed in the game but the issue remained in doubt until the very end. Carolina was led offensively by its freshmen as Christine McPike scored two goals with Kellie Thompson and Erin McInnes adding one goal each.

McPike and Thompson scored in the first 10:40 of the game to stake Carolina to a 2-0 lead. Virginia dented the scoreboard for the first time with 7:48 left in the first half when senior Mia Mooney scored to make it 2-1. Carolina then finished the half with two more goals-one by McPike and the second by McInnes on a free position shot to make the score 4-1 Carolina at halftime.

Virginia would not go away however. A goal by freshman Gina Sambus just 2:03 into the second half cut the Tar Heels' lead to two and when junior Jamie Haas scored with 13:40 to play in the game the advantage was trimmed to a single goal.

But the Tar Heel upperclassmen responded by scoring two insurance goals to seal the victory. Junior Meghann Mohler went to the goal hard and scored with 7:05 to play to make the score 5-3. Then with 3:43 to play junior Gray MacNair took a feed from senior Brooke Crawford and scored while unmarked right in front of the goal.

Carolina had 21 total shots in the game to 20 for Virginia. The Wahoos won the ground ball battle 26-19 but winning nine of 11 draw controls helped UNC. Carolina also benefited from Virginia's physical style of play as the Wahoos were whistled for 24 fouls , versus only six for Carolina.

UNC now leads the all-time series with Virginia 4-3. Carolina has won the last three regular-season meetings between the two teams; however, in each of the previous two seasons Virginia avenged the loss by beating UNC in the ACC Tournament. Chances are the teams may meet again this year in the ACC Tournament that will be in Chapel Hill, April 24 and 25.

#4 VIRGINIA (5-3, ACC 0-2) vs. #5 UNC (4-2, ACC 1-1)
Fetzer Field, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Saturday, March 27, 1999, 1:00 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY
Half  Team Time   Score   Goal By           Assist By
1     UNC  25:16    1-0   Christine McPike
1     UNC  19:20    2-0   Kellie Thompson   Erin McGinnis
1     UVa  7:48     2-1   Mia Mooney        Sarah Gercke
1     UNC  6:56     3-1   Christine McPike
1     UNC  5:19     4-1   Erin McInnes (FPS)
2     UVa  27:57    4-2   Gina Sambus       Jamie Haas
2     UVa  13:40    4-3   Jamie Haas
2     UNC  7:05     5-3   Meghann Mohler
2     UNC  3:43     6-3   Gray MacNair      Brooke Crawford

(FPS=Goal Scored on Free Position Shot)

SCORING BY PERIODS  1  2  TOTAL
Virginia            1  2  3
North Carolina      4  2  6

STATISTICAL SUMMARY

Goals Scored
Virginia--Mia Mooney, Gina Sambus, Jamie Haas
North Carolina--Christine McPike 2, Kellie Thompson, Erin McInnes, Meghann Mohler, Gray MacNair

Assists
Virginia--Sarah Gercke, Jamie Haas
North Carolina--Erin McGinnis, Brooke Crawford

SHOTS ON GOAL   1  2  TOTAL
Virginia       10  8  18
North Carolina  9  7  16

FREE POSITION SHOTS  1  2  TOTAL
Virginia             1  1  2
North Carolina       3  2  5

SAVES           1  2  TOTAL
Virginia        5  7  12
North Carolina  8  5  13

GOALKEEPER SUMMARY
Virginia--Francis Segarra, 60 minutes played, 12 saves, 6 goals allowed
North Carolina--Debbie Castine, 60 minutes played, 13 saves, 3 goals allowed

GROUND BALLS    1  2   TOTAL
Virginia       13  13  26
North Carolina  9  10  19

TURNOVERS       1  2  TOTAL
Virginia        4  8  12
North Carolina  8  5  13

CAUSED TURNOVERS  1  2  TOTAL
Virginia          7  6  13
North Carolina    2  4  6

FOULS           1   2  TOTAL
Virginia       13  11  24
North Carolina  4   2  6

DRAW CONTROLS   1  2  TOTAL
Virginia        1  1  2
North Carolina  5  4  9

ATTENDANCE:  200

OFFICIALS: Pat Dillon, Susie Ganzenmuller, Patty Daley