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Previewing North Carolina’s 2019 men’s college lacrosse schedule

The Tar Heels look to return to the ACC and NCAA Tournaments after a disappointing 2018 season.

By Chris Jastrzembski
UNC Athletic Communications

The North Carolina Tar Heels are the 61st team in our 2019 schedule preview series and the fourth team from the ACC. The Tar Heels finished 7-7 in 2018 and 1-3 in ACC play. North Carolina failed to make the ACC Tournament as well as the NCAA Tournament. It was the first time since 2006 that UNC did not play in the NCAA Tournament.

Here’s their entire 2019 schedule:

North Carolina’s 2019 Schedule

Date Road Team Home Team Special Notes
Date Road Team Home Team Special Notes
1/19 North Carolina Jacksonville Scrimmage
1/26 Loyola North Carolina Scrimmage
2/2 North Carolina Mercer At Centennial High School (In Atlanta, GA)
2/9 Furman North Carolina
2/16 Harvard North Carolina First meeting since 2015
2/23 Johns Hopkins North Carolina
3/2 Denver North Carolina
3/8 Marist North Carolina First meeting since 2008
3/12 Bucknell North Carolina First meeting since 2014
3/17 North Carolina Cleveland State First ever meeting, At Tierney Field (Sparks, Maryland)
3/23 North Carolina Maryland
3/30 Duke North Carolina ACC
4/6 North Carolina Virginia ACC
4/13 Syracuse North Carolina ACC
4/20 North Carolina Notre Dame ACC

Who’s In?

Who’s Out?

Average Winning Percentage From 2018 Teams

  • Overall: .552
  • Nonconference: .509
  • ACC: .650

Circle These Dates

  • 2/9 (vs. Furman): The Paladins have give the Tar Heels tests for the past two seasons, including last year’s matchup that went into overtime. Furman took the lead late in the fourth before UNC tied and eventual won the game on goals from Chris Cloutier and Justin Anderson. Cloutier had give goals but so did Tanner Cook, who was hot early on before going on a long scoring drought. He’ll need to provide a good amount of scoring throughout the season and avoid a long drought. This could also be the first game at the UNC’s new soccer and lacrosse stadium.
  • 2/23 (vs. Johns Hopkins): Despite the surprising results early on, North Carolina got a big early win against the Blue Jays at Homewood Field last February. Timmy Kelly, wearing No. 18 in honor of Dave Huntley who passed away prior to the season, scored three of his four goals in the fourth quarter to help the Tar Heels get past Johns Hopkins. Cook also had four goals in the win.
  • 3/2 (vs. Denver): Even though the margin was just four goals, it felt like a game that the Pioneers dominated last season. Denver went on a 5-0 run in the first half to take a 5-1 lead and would stop all efforts of a UNC rally. Jack Pezzulla and Alex Bassil made a combined four saves in the loss.
  • 3/30 (vs. Duke): The Tobacco Road rivalry between these two teams in any sport means more than any other game on their schedule. Duke and UNC hate each other despite only being separated by a few miles. The Tar Heels got off to a quick start and didn’t allow the Blue Devils to get a lead until Duke went on a 4-0 run that began late in the third quarter en route to a one-goal win. Brad Smith, who should have a larger role with the offense this year, had four goals and two assists for Duke.
  • 4/13 (vs. Syracuse): The one that got away from North Carolina last year. UNC led by three with 7:22 left in regulation and appeared to be on their way to keeping their season alive with their first ACC win. But the Orange had other plans with a tally from Stephen Rehfuss and two goals from Brendan Curry forcing overtime inside the Carrier Dome. Brendan Bomberry scored the game-winner for Syracuse, their second overtime win in the regular season against North Carolina in as many seasons.

For other schedules and team rosters, check out our Men’s Division I matrix.

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