UNC Women’s Lacrosse 2026-27

[airball]

USA meets Canada 3:00 pm Sunday for the gold of the Women’s Sixes at the PanAm games. The US clinched Pool A Saturday with a 35-10 victory over previously unbeaten Puerto Rico.

Emma LoPinto had 6g/2a while Chloe Humphrey, Ellie Masera and Marie McCool each had 5g/1a.

The top 5 teams qualify for the 2028 Olympics.

 

[airball]

USA eked out a narrow 15-14 win over Canada to capture the gold medal in the Sixes Lacrosse competition at the Pan-Am games. Chloe Humphrey led the US with 5 goals.

In addition to the USA and Canada, Puerto Rico, Haudenosaunee and Argentina qualified for the Olympics. UNC alum Sam Geiersbach led Argentina with 7g/3a.

 

[Nate1972]

Any word on the Fall Ball games in MD this weekend?

 

[Jriv23]

Any word on the Fall Ball games in MD this weekend?

Good Question. I would like to know how we did as well.

 

[Nate1972]

USA eked out a narrow 15-14 win over Canada to capture the gold medal at the Sixes Lacrosse competition at the Pan-Am games. Chloe Humphrey led the US with 5 goals.

In addition to the USA and Canada, Puerto Rico, Haudenosaunee and Argentina qualified for the Olympics. UNC alum Sam Geiersbach led Argentina with 7g/3a.

The top 3 point producers in the tournament: Geiersbach, Humphrey and McCool. Leading goal scorer: Chloe.

 

[airball]

Let there be light:

Here’s a fairly lengthy article from IL about UNC’s Saturday scrimmage with Hopkins:

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/everyone-steps-up-for-north-carolina-in-fallball-scrimmage-vs-johns-hopkins/0bc1d602-32ed-468e-8abc-d3e24c38c0a8

[FWIW - the article says that Hopkins dominated draws, but it makes more sense if UNC won draws — the UNC draw takers were the players mentioned; Hopkins played a lot of defense]

We’ve apparently dominated draws in the fall scrimmages thusfar- even though draw taker extraordinaire, transfer Kate Galica, has not seen any action. Apparently transfer Jenna Lundstedt has been very strong on draws.

 

[Jriv23]

Let there be light:

Here’s a fairly lengthy article from IL about UNC’s Saturday scrimmage with Hopkins:

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/everyone-steps-up-for-north-carolina-in-fallball-scrimmage-vs-johns-hopkins/0bc1d602-32ed-468e-8abc-d3e24c38c0a8

Thanks for posting. Very informative. Go Heels!

 

[Nate1972]

Let there be light:

Here’s a fairly lengthy article from IL about UNC’s Saturday scrimmage with Hopkins:

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/everyone-steps-up-for-north-carolina-in-fallball-scrimmage-vs-johns-hopkins/0bc1d602-32ed-468e-8abc-d3e24c38c0a8

[FFWIW - the article says that Hopkins dominated draws, but it makes more sense if UNC won draws — the UNC draw takers were the players mentioned; Hopkins played a lot of defense]

We’ve apparently dominated draws in the fall scrimmages thusfar- even though draw taker extraordinaire, transfer Kate Galica, has not seen any action. Apparently transfer Jenna Lundstedt has been very strong on draws.

I wonder if the Hopkins game was played with 12 minute quarters and a running clock like the earlier Fall ball games. If so, 20 goals is a lot.

 

[airball]

Watching the video of UNC - Hopkins, it strikes me that this could be the most athletic team that Coach Levy has fielded. The freshman class adds a lot of athleticism.

It’s still early, but attackers Cece Powell and Emma McCarthy have been the most visible first years. I think others will emerge. Based on her late 2026 season performance (6 goals in the NCAA tourney), soph Reese King is a good bet to see significant play at attack. Graduated front-line attackers from last season, Caroline Godine and Darcy Felter, need to be replaced.

In the midfield, Kaleigh Harden, Eliza Osburn and Kate Levy return, but graduated senior Kiley Mottice needs replacing (typically four midfielders cycle through two midfield slots). Transfer Kate Galica, who’s apparently recovering from an injury, will see time. Sophomore middies Mairyn Dwyer (3g) and Payton Magday(2g) played well against Hopkins. Freshman Sophia Buffardi could also see playing time. Second year Emma Connerty, who missed last season with a knee injury suffered in high school, had a goal vs. JH.

As far as I could tell, the goalies vs. JH were soph Brigid Carovillano (#33) and frosh Bailey Redford (#30). I doubt we can draw conclusions from this — Betty Nelson and Lexi Zenk will be the probable starters.

Players who don’t appear to have seen the field last Saturday in addition to Galica, include Chloe Humphrey (playing with USA Sixes), Eva Ingrilli and Tess Calabria (knee suffered early in the 2026 season).

It should be another strong season. The Heels are virtually assured of being the preseason #1.

GO HEELS!

 

[unc80]

I hate to bring unrealistic expectations into the season, but for me, it's really hard not to. The amount of talent that Jenny has stockpiled in Chapel Hill is stunning. With Chloe headlining this veteran group, we may be in for a season we'll talk about for a long time.

 

[zheel]

Watching the video of UNC - Hopkins, it strikes me that this could be the most athletic team that Coach Levy has fielded. The freshman class adds a lot of athleticism.

It’s still early, but attackers Cece Powell and Emma McCarthy have been the most visible first years. I think others will emerge. Based on her late 2026 season performance (6 goals in the NCAA tourney), soph Reese King is a good bet to see significant play at attack. Graduated front-line attackers from last season, Caroline Godine and Darcy Felter, need to be replaced.

In the midfield, Kaleigh Harden, Eliza Osburn and Kate Levy return, but graduated senior Kiley Mottice needs replacing (typically four midfielders cycle through two midfield slots). Transfer Kate Galica who’s apparently recovering from an injury, will see time. Sophomore middies Mairyn Dwyer (3g) and Payton Magday(2g) played well against Hopkins. Freshman Sophia Buffardi could also see playing time. Second year Emma Connerty, who missed last season with a knee injury suffered in high school, had a goal vs. JH.

As far as I could tell, the goalies vs. JH were soph Brigid Carovillano (#33) and frosh Bailey Redford (#30). I doubt we can draw conclusions from this — Betty Nelson and Lexi Zenk will be the probable starters.

Players who don’t appear to have seen the field last Saturday in addition to Galica, include Chloe Humphrey (playing with USA Sixes), Eva Ingrilli and Tess Calabria (knee suffered early in the 2026 season).

It should be another strong season. The Heels are virtually assured of being the preseason #1.

GO HEELS!

Any read on the draw? Per the IL article JH had the edge on controls but that was not reflective of the final score so there were some questions as to the accuracy of that reporting. It'd be interesting to hear your view of that part of their game.

 

[airball]

Any read on the draw? Per the IL article JH had the edge on controls but that was not reflective of the final score so there were some questions as to the accuracy of that reporting. It'd be interesting to hear your view of that part of their game.

 

[airball]

Hopkins’ coach, Tim McCormack had the following comments:
“We played a ton of defense. So we’re going back and seeing the things that we got to continue to work on. I feel like our offense was pretty efficient with the possessions we had… .“

This certainly doesn’t sound like Hopkins dominated the draw. Furthermore, here is what the article’s author said:
”Hopkins had a clear edge on draw controls with Charlotte Rathjen and Jenna Lundstedt.” I think the author simply misspoke. If JH dominated the draw, why would two UNC players be identified?

Aside from the scrimmage, Carolina looks to have the potential to be dominant on the draw in 2027. In addition to Rathjen and Lundstedt as draw takers, Carolina has transfer Kate Galica who put up remarkable draw numbers (420 in 3 years) at UVa. As mentioned, above, she has not played this fall due to an injury.

In addition, Kayleigh Harden and Eliza Osburn are exceptional playing on the circle.

The draw should be a decided strength for UNC this season.

 

[tmatheny]

Watching the video of UNC - Hopkins, it strikes me that this could be the most athletic team that Coach Levy has fielded. The freshman class adds a lot of athleticism.

It’s still early, but attackers Cece Powell and Emma McCarthy have been the most visible first years. I think others will emerge. Based on her late 2026 season performance (6 goals in the NCAA tourney), soph Reese King is a good bet to see significant play at attack. Graduated front-line attackers from last season, Caroline Godine and Darcy Felter, need to be replaced.

In the midfield, Kaleigh Harden, Eliza Osburn and Kate Levy return, but graduated senior Kiley Mottice needs replacing (typically four midfielders cycle through two midfield slots). Transfer Kate Galica who’s apparently recovering from an injury, will see time. Sophomore middies Mairyn Dwyer (3g) and Payton Magday(2g) played well against Hopkins. Freshman Sophia Buffardi could also see playing time. Second year Emma Connerty, who missed last season with a knee injury suffered in high school, had a goal vs. JH.

As far as I could tell, the goalies vs. JH were soph Brigid Carovillano (#33) and frosh Bailey Redford (#30). I doubt we can draw conclusions from this — Betty Nelson and Lexi Zenk will be the probable starters.

Players who don’t appear to have seen the field last Saturday in addition to Galica, include Chloe Humphrey (playing with USA Sixes), Eva Ingrilli and Tess Calabria (knee suffered early in the 2026 season).

It should be another strong season. The Heels are virtually assured of being the preseason #1.

GO HEELS!

Sorry if I missed it but where can I find this video?

 

[airball]

The Inside Lacrosse article posted, above. After the original four paragraphs, there is a video “Fall Ball: North Carolina vs. Johns Hopkins.” UNC scored 20 goals in the game; almost all are in this video.

Enjoy (I certainly did.)

Multiple goal scorers:
Addison Pattillo #16 JR (4g)
Mairyn Dwyer #7 SO (3g)
Cece Powell #4 FR (2g)
Payton Magday #9 SO(2g)
Reese King #21 SO (2g)
Emma McCarthy #24 FR(2g)

 

[airball]

I hate to bring unrealistic expectations into the season, but for me, it's really hard not to. The amount of talent that Jenny has stockpiled in Chapel Hill is stunning. With Chloe headlining this veteran group, we may be in for a season we'll talk about for a long time.

It’s hard not to be optimistic. There are areas that need to be shored up, but at a minimum, the final four seems like a very reasonable expectation.

 

[Jriv23]

Watching the video of UNC - Hopkins, it strikes me that this could be the most athletic team that Coach Levy has fielded. The freshman class adds a lot of athleticism.

It’s still early, but attackers Cece Powell and Emma McCarthy have been the most visible first years. I think others will emerge. Based on her late 2026 season performance (6 goals in the NCAA tourney), soph Reese King is a good bet to see significant play at attack. Graduated front-line attackers from last season, Caroline Godine and Darcy Felter, need to be replaced.

In the midfield, Kaleigh Harden, Eliza Osburn and Kate Levy return, but graduated senior Kiley Mottice needs replacing (typically four midfielders cycle through two midfield slots). Transfer Kate Galica who’s apparently recovering from an injury, will see time. Sophomore middies Mairyn Dwyer (3g) and Payton Magday(2g) played well against Hopkins. Freshman Sophia Buffardi could also see playing time. Second year Emma Connerty, who missed last season with a knee injury suffered in high school, had a goal vs. JH.

As far as I could tell, the goalies vs. JH were soph Brigid Carovillano (#33) and frosh Bailey Redford (#30). I doubt we can draw conclusions from this — Betty Nelson and Lexi Zenk will be the probable starters.

Players who don’t appear to have seen the field last Saturday in addition to Galica, include Chloe Humphrey (playing with USA Sixes), Eva Ingrilli and Tess Calabria (knee suffered early in the 2026 season).

It should be another strong season. The Heels are virtually assured of being the preseason #1.

GO HEELS!

Thanks for the updates and information. Go Heels!

 

[Jriv23]

I hate to bring unrealistic expectations into the season, but for me, it's really hard not to. The amount of talent that Jenny has stockpiled in Chapel Hill is stunning. With Chloe headlining this veteran group, we may be in for a season we'll talk about for a long time.

Yeah, I agree with you totally. I would also say that is team is pissed off from last year. The way they got cheated in the Championship should make them hungry. I know they kept the receipts. They know what they have to do. As I stated earlier. Reese King, Dwyer, Magdag, Sophia, Emma, Cece should get a lot of playing time this season.

 

[airball]

UNC scrimmaged High Point yesterday (Friday, Oct 9) at 1:00 in Chapel Hill. Any observer(s)?

 

[airball]

Here’s an article from Inside Lacrosse about UNC’s three highly ranked two-way midfielders in the 2028 class - Delaney McCrone, Ryann Murphy and Gabby Ray. Nice article:

https://www.insidelacrosse.com/article/with-epic-2028-class-north-carolina-continues-to-be-do-it-all-middie-u/1f04f82a-b580-40ea-ac75-71d12b649a58

These players will arrive in Chapel Hill after the fourth year of current two-way middies Eliza Osburn and Kate Levy.