May 23, 2009

Tar Heels Advance To NCAA Title Game With 8-7 Win Over Maryland

TOWSON, MD. -- Freshman Laura Zimmerman scored a season-high three goals, including the game-winner with 8:22 left in the second half, to lead the University of North Carolina women's lacrosse team to an 8-7 win over Maryland on Friday night in the NCAA Tournament semifinals at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, Md.

Third-seeded UNC improves to 16-4 this season while second-seeded Maryland falls to 21-1. The Carolina win avenges a 13-8 loss to the Terrapins on April 11. Maryland's seven goals were a season low.

UNC advances to Sunday's NCAA championship game to face top-seeded and four-time defending NCAA champion Northwestern, which beat Penn, 13-12, in double overtime in Friday's first semifinal. Sunday's game will begin at 5:30 p.m. Northwestern leads the all-time series with Carolina, 5-1, including a 12-7 win in Chapel Hill earlier this season.

Carolina is making its fourth Final Four appearance overall and first since 2002. Friday's win was the Tar Heels' first in the national semifinals. UNC lost its semifinal games in 1997, 1998 and 2002. Maryland entered game having won last four meetings against UNC and eight of the last 10 matchups

Zimmerman's three goals led the Tar Heels on Friday. Megan Bosica had two goals and two assists for Carolina. Jenn Russell, Kristen Taylor and Corey Donohoe each scored single goals for UNC. Maryland's Karri Ellen Johnson scored four goals for the Terrapins. Sarah Mollison scored twice for the Terps and Laura Merrifield added a goal and an assist.