Section 215
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UNC Tarheels Stun Maryland to capture D1 lacrosse title

By Christopher Boughman

May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Joe Breschi (C) dabs with his team after winning the national championship against the Maryland Terrapins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Tar Heels won 14-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
May 30, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Joe Breschi (C) dabs with his team after winning the national championship against the Maryland Terrapins at Lincoln Financial Field. The Tar Heels won 14-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The UNC Tarheels completed their Cinderella run through the NCAA tournament on Monday, stunning #1 ranked Maryland,  in epic fashion by the score of 14-13 in overtime.

The UNC Tarheels completed an epic run through the tournament with an upset over  number one ranked Maryland. What better place to see a team overcome the odds than Philadelphia? A perfect storybook ending for the Tarheels. Meanwhile, the Maryland terrapins appeared destined to end their extremely long championship drought,  but the UNC Tarheels snuck in and stole the championship trophy right from their grasp.

The UNC Tarheels last brought a title home to Chapel Hill in 1991, defeating Towson 18-13, capping off an undefeated season. The Terrapins, despite being in the Championship game four out of the last six years, have been starving for a national title since 1975. This game was destined to be a classic, and both teams were sure to leave their blood, sweat, and tears on the field.

The UNC Tarheels, after their dominating performance Saturday vs. Loyola, didn’t miss a beat in the opening minutes of the game. The Tarheels stormed out to an early 4-0 lead with contributions from several teammates registering their names in the boxscore. Despite the early deficit, the terps finally woke up and started backpedaling the UNC Tarheels defense. Dylan Maltz opened the scoring for the Terps and contributed 2 goals and an assist to get Maryland back in the game, tying the score at 4-4.

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The second quarter opened with a quick strike from the terps Connor Kelly. The Tarheels Luke Goldstock answers back, registering his 3rd goal of the game, and gave UNC a 7-5 lead early in the second quarter. The terps defense soon put the clamps on the Tarheels, not allowing them to score for the remainder of the 1st half. The Number one ranked Terrapins walked into the locker room clinging to an 8-7 lead at the break.

The coaches of both teams made excellent halftime adjustments as the game slowed down dramatically in the 3rd quarter, The defensive talents of both teams went on display, and the audience knew these players were in a dogfight. Recent record holder Chris Courtier made his presence felt in the 3rd frame knotting a hat trick, and outscoring the Terps on his own. The 3rd quarter scoring  saw Courtier scoring 3 goals while the terps only managed to hit the back of the net twice. The game was all tied up at 10-10 entering the 4th quarter.

The game has been excellent thus far entering the 4th quarter. However, the intensity of the game was just beginning. I recommend putting on your seatbelt because this game is going to have a crazy landing. The final quarter opened with a crosschecking penalty on UNC Tarheels player Evan Connell. The terps capitalized quickly, scoring on the man advantage with a rocket shot by Colin Heacock, and taking an 11-10 lead.

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    • The UNC Tarheels answered back with a beautiful goal by Steve Pontrello. The see-saw battle continues, as Colin Heacock dives across the edge of the crease, and netting his second goal of the game. The final quarter has everyone in the Linc on the edge of their seat. Hold on tight, because we’re coming in for a wild landing.

    The final 2 minutes of the game might be some of the most intense Lacrosse I’ve witnessed in quite some time. The players have been battling so hard the entire game, and then things get sloppy. Both teams commit consecutive over/back violations, and now it seems that neither team wants to win this game.

    The edge of your seat action soon continues with a Maryland shot ringing off the crossbar. UNC is on their heels locked deep in their own end of the field, but the defense was solid and ended the huge defensive stop with a huge save by Goalie Brian Balkam. The Tarheels control possession with 3.9 seconds left. However, there was some extracurricular activity on the other end of the field, and Luke Goldstock was nailed with a retaliation penalty, costing the Tarheels to be a man down for a minute.

    The game ends regulation in a 13-13 tie, and we’re heading to Overtime! The UNC Tarheels will be down a man for 58 seconds to start the extra frame. The terrapins are controlling possession in the UNC zone, and Balkam comes up with a huge save. The Tarheels control possession and call timeout. UNC Coach Joe Breschi draws up a play for the offense, while Maryland coach John Tillman attempts to regain his player’s composure. The Tarheels offense puts pressure on the terps defense, and after a huge save by Maryland Goalie Kyle Bernlohr, the terps get called for a

    The UNC Tarheels offense puts pressure on the terps defense, and after a huge save by Maryland Goalie Kyle Bernlohr, the terps get called for a cross-checking penalty. The Tarheels go to a man advantage at the most critical part of the game. The Tarheels score the game winner and win the national championship in thrilling fashion on a goal by none other than sophomore tournament sensation, Chris Courtier.

    All players on the field displayed a willingness to win the game at all costs. Connor Kelly led the scoring for the terrapins, scoring 4 goals on the day. Matt Rambo, a local product, netted 3 goals, while adding 3 assists for the terrapins. The tournament’s most outstanding player, Chris Courtier, powered the scoring for the Tarheels with 5 goals. Luke Goldstock was on his heels scoring 4 goals. Both goalies played an incredible game. Kyle Bernlohr had 9 saves for the terps while Brian Balkam had 13 saves for UNC.

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    The unseeded UNC Tarheels complete the shocking upset over the number 1 ranked terrapins, displaying a Rocky-esque performance in the city of brotherly love. The UNC Tarheels became the 1st team in tournament history to win the national championship with 6 losses in their season.  Both teams should hold their head high, as this was one of the most thrilling championship games in the history of the tournament.

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