No. 1 Women’s Lacrosse Drops OT Thriller To No. 11 Northwestern, 17-16

Wednesday, March 25

Chapel Hill, N.C.

6 PM

North Carolina

9-1

Northwestern

7-3

Northwestern

North Carolina

Photo by: NATE SKVORETZ

No. 1 Women’s Lacrosse Drops OT Thriller To No. 11 Northwestern, 17-16

March 25, 2026 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – No. 1 North Carolina women's lacrosse fell in overtime, 17-16, to No. 11 Northwestern on Wednesday at Dorrance Field. The loss snaps Carolina's 31-game winning streak and was its first defeat since losing in the first round of the 2024 NCAA Tournament to Florida.

The game basically sat at a one-goal difference throughout the second half with both teams unable to separate. Neither team was able to take advantage of late opportunities to break the deadlock and the game headed to the extra period. UNC won the initial faceoff but couldn't take advantage of a free position. Northwestern came back down and was able to hit the winner, giving them the win.

Chloe Humphrey shined once again with six goals on the night. Eliza Osburn chipped in with three goals and an assist, while Addison Pattillo and Kate Levy each scored two. Lexi Zenk saw her first action of the season, splitting time with Betty Nelson, and came up with four saves.

How It Happened

Eliza Osburn opened the scoring at 12:40 with a knifing dodge through the defense and a laser finish.
Northwestern scored just before the first quarter media timeout, but Kate Levy weaved through the defense and scored to make it 2-1.
Osburn scored again on a free position to push the lead to 3-1.
Chloe Humphrey used a free position to get in on goal and beat the keeper to make it 4-2 at the end of the first quarter.
Humphrey used a quick stick to bury one on a feed from Caroline Godine behind the cage to make it 5-2.
Northwestern used two free positions to cut the lead to 5-4 at 11:30 in the second.
Addison Pattillo used a free position of her own to blow past the defenders and score to make it 6-4.
Darcy Felter with another free position to make it 7-5 midway through the second.
Humphrey gets her hat trick to make it 8-6.
Humphrey again on a nice feed from Godine and the Heels maintain a two-goal margin at 9-7.
Humphrey continued her scoring spree with a turnaround bouncer from Pattillo to make it 10-8 with 30 seconds left in the half.
Northwestern opened the half with two consecutive goals to tie it at 10.
Kate Levy got whacked driving to cage and converted the free position to make it 11-10 Heels.
Osburn got her hat trick on a free position to make it 12-10 with 9:43 left in the third.
Northwestern came back with two straight to tie the game at 12 with eight minutes left in the third.
Northwestern took their first lead of the game, 13-12, with 6:16 left in the third.
Kiley Mottice broke a four-goal run for Northwestern to cut the Wildcats' lead to 14-13.
Humphrey bagged her sixth of the game to even things at 14-14 with 9:32 left in the fourth.
Northwestern regained the lead seconds later to make it 15-14.
Pattillo added her second to even things back up.
Northwestern went back up 16-15 with 5:42 left.
Caroline Godine buries a free position with a rocket to tie things at 16.
The game headed to OT with Carolina winning the opening draw, but weren't able to capitalize.
Northwestern was able to win it on the next possession.

Tar Heel Tidbits

Chloe Humphrey posted her 27th career hat trick in her 32nd career game.
Eliza Osburn notched the 10th hat trick of her career.

Up Next
No. 1 North Carolina will return to Dorrance Field on Saturday when it hosts ECU for Senior Day at Noon.

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