The Virginia Cavaliers dropped their third straight game in Charlottesville on Friday night, losing 11-9 to North Carolina in the semifinals of the ACC Lacrosse Tournament. It was the first time eight years the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers, jumping out to an early two-goal lead in the fourth quarter and then holding on to advance to the championship game, where they'll face Duke.
UVA dropped to 10-3, and it wass the first time in almost 45 years that they lost three straight at home. As with the Heels in hoops, the ACC Tournament is not the final prize for the national title contending Cavaliers. Despite the loss, superstar Steele Stanwick still had an incredibly productive game, tallying two goals and five assists to become Virginia's all-time points leader. While the Cavs may be in a little rough patch, both Stanwick and head coach Dom Starsia remain focused on May. Via Patrick Stevens of The Washington Times:
"We have the ability to recapture the magic a little bit as we head to the month of May," Starsia said. "We've hit a couple bumps in the road here, but there's nothing we can't work through as we prepare for the next phase of this."
Duke and Carolina will now meet in the title game on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. in Charlottesville.
For more updates from the 2012 ACC Lacrosse Tournament, stay tuned to SB Nation DC and this StoryStream. For all your college lacrosse news and notes during the postseason, visit College Crosse.