Tar Heels Pull Away From Bison In Second Half

Tuesday, March 12

Chapel Hill, N.C.

4 p.m.

North Carolina

5-2

Bucknell

2-5

Bucknell

North Carolina

William Perry had a hat trick in UNC's 12-7 victory over Bucknell.

Photo by: Jeffrey A. Camarati

March 12, 2019 | Men's Lacrosse

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Perry and Matthews each have hat tricks for UNC

By: Dave Lohse

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – North Carolina outscored Bucknell 6-3 in the second half en route to a 12-7 victory over the Bison in men's lacrosse action before 415 fans at UNC Lacrosse Stadium.

With the victory, UNC improves to 5-2 on the season while the Bison fall to 2-5.

The Tar Heels were led by a balanced offense with both William Perry and Andy Matthews recording hat tricks for Carolina and Nicky Solomon recording a pair of goals. Seven Tar Heels scored in the game. Eight different Tar Heels had assists in the game led by Brian Cameron with two.

Alston Terr led the Bucknell Bison with a hat trick while Tom Smith had two goals for the visitors from Lewisburg, Pa.

UNC dominated the game in shots with a 41-27 edge and in ground balls with an advantage of 33-26. Turnovers were a big part of the game with Bucknell committing 21, including seven failed clears. UNC committed only 13 turnovers.

Jarrett Witzal won 12 of 22 face-offs for Bucknell while Zachary Tucci was 10 of 22 at the X for Carolina. Tucci and goalkeeper Alex Bassil each had four ground balls to lead UNC.

In the goal, Alex Bassil made nine saves for Carolina while allowing just seven goals. Christian Klipstein went all the way for Bison and made 14 saves while allowing 12 goals.

UNC led 6-4 at the half before Bucknell's Tom Smith scored the opening goal of the second half. Carolina then pulled away with four of the next five goals. Tanner Cook and Andy Metthews scored less than two minutes apart to make it 8-5. After Will Yorke answered with a goal for Bucknell, UNC answered with goals by Nicky Solomon and William Perry to go up 10-6 with 10:30 to play. After Bucknell pulled within three goals, UNC finished off the scoring with goals by William Perry and Timmy Kelly to give the Tar Heels a final margin of five goals.

Next up for the Tar Heels is a game against Cleveland State scheduled for Sunday at noon at the U.S. National Lacrosse headquarters in Sparks, Md. The game will be played there at William G. Tierney Field.