University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Gail Burton
Men's Lacrosse Trio Named To Preseason All-ACC Team
January 27, 2026 | Men's Lacrosse
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The North Carolina men's lacrosse trio of Owen Duffy, Dominic Pietramala and Brady Wambach were named to the 2026 Preseason All-ACC Men's Lacrosse Team, the conference announced Tuesday afternoon.
Duffy ranked second on the Tar Heels with 34 goals a year ago, leading Carolina with 27 assists and 61 points. Duffy scored three-or-more goals in eight games last spring, and posted five-or-more points in eight contests. The East Quogue, N.Y. product finished the regular season second in the ACC in assists per game (2.0/game) and third in points per game (4.25/game).
Wambach, who's finished last year fourth nationally in faceoff winning percentage (.643), became the first Tar Heel faceoff specialist to earn first team All-America honors since R.G. Keenan in 2012. The Pittsford, N.Y. product recorded double-digit faceoff wins in 14 games last spring, as well as 10-or-more ground balls in five contests. Wambach's 225 faceoff wins last year was the third-most by a Tar Heel in a single season.
Pietramala, who led Carolina and the ACC last season with 48 goals, earned ACC and national postseason recognition for the first time in his career in 2025. The Tar Heel attackman scored a hat trick in 10 games, highlighted by six-goal efforts on the road at No. 4 Johns Hopkins and No. 10 Syracuse. The Lutherville, Md. native's 48 goals scored a year ago ranked third all-time in single-season goals in program history.
As a team, the Tar Heels were picked third in the Preseason Poll with 17 points, trailing Syracuse (25) and Notre Dame (18).
Carolina opens the 2026 campaign this Sunday on the road at Towson. Opening faceoff between the Tar Heels and Tigers is set for Noon.
Duffy ranked second on the Tar Heels with 34 goals a year ago, leading Carolina with 27 assists and 61 points. Duffy scored three-or-more goals in eight games last spring, and posted five-or-more points in eight contests. The East Quogue, N.Y. product finished the regular season second in the ACC in assists per game (2.0/game) and third in points per game (4.25/game).
Wambach, who's finished last year fourth nationally in faceoff winning percentage (.643), became the first Tar Heel faceoff specialist to earn first team All-America honors since R.G. Keenan in 2012. The Pittsford, N.Y. product recorded double-digit faceoff wins in 14 games last spring, as well as 10-or-more ground balls in five contests. Wambach's 225 faceoff wins last year was the third-most by a Tar Heel in a single season.
Pietramala, who led Carolina and the ACC last season with 48 goals, earned ACC and national postseason recognition for the first time in his career in 2025. The Tar Heel attackman scored a hat trick in 10 games, highlighted by six-goal efforts on the road at No. 4 Johns Hopkins and No. 10 Syracuse. The Lutherville, Md. native's 48 goals scored a year ago ranked third all-time in single-season goals in program history.
As a team, the Tar Heels were picked third in the Preseason Poll with 17 points, trailing Syracuse (25) and Notre Dame (18).
Carolina opens the 2026 campaign this Sunday on the road at Towson. Opening faceoff between the Tar Heels and Tigers is set for Noon.
Players Mentioned
Attackman
/ Men's Lacrosse
Attackman
/ Men's Lacrosse
Faceoff
/ Men's LacrosseUNC Men's Basketball: Tar Heels Battle Back to Top #14 Virginia, 85-80
Saturday, January 24
Carolina Insider - Interview with Reese Brantmeier (Full Segment) - January 23, 2026
Saturday, January 24
UNC Gymnastics: Tar Heels Down Pitt in Carmichael
Saturday, January 24
UNC Women's Basketball: Tar Heels Outlast Georgia Tech, 54-46
Friday, January 23