University of North Carolina Athletics
Friday, May 1
Charlotte, N.C.
8 PM
North Carolina
12-3
12
vs
10
Syracuse
11-5
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 10 |
| North Carolina | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 12 |
Photo by: DALTON T WAINSCOTT
Duffy's Seven Points Lift MLAX Over Syracuse In ACC Semifinals, 12-10
May 1, 2026 | Men's Lacrosse
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A career-best six assists from Owen Duffy lifted No. 2 North Carolina over third-seeded Syacuse, 12-10, Friday evening in the semifinals of the 2026 Atlantic Coast Conference Men's Lacrosse Championship.
With the win, Carolina advances to Sunday's title game meeting No. 4 Virginia. The title game appearance is the first for the Tar Heels since 2017.
How It Happened
• Each team scored once in the opening quarter, as Luke Bair hit the back of the net, with an assist from Owen Duffy at the 10:30 mark.
• Brevin Wilson scored less than a minute into the second quarter, followed by four-straight Syracuse goals. The Orange led by three with 3:03 remaining in the opening half, 5-2.
• The Tar Heels answered with back-to-back goals from Brady Wambach, trimming the deficit to one with 2:44 left in the half.
• Syracuse's Finn Thomson converted with 12 seconds remaining, pushing the Orange lead to 6-4 entering the break.
• Carolina opened the second half with three-straight goals, courtesy of Caden Harshbarger, Duffy and Dominic Pietramala, leading 7-6 with 10:04 remaining in the third.
• The Orange followed with back-to-back goals, leading by one after 45 minutes of play, 8-7.
• Following a Syracuse fourth quarter opening goal the Tar Heels rattled off four-straight goals, taking a two-goal lead with 7:48 left, 11-9.
• Following a Syracuse goal, Wilson scored his third of the night, securing the win for Carolina.
Tar Heel Performances
• Duffy posted a game-high seven points in the win.
• Bair and Wambach hit the back of the net twice.
• Parker McDonald posted a game-high three caused turnovers.
• Josh Marcus made 11 saves between the pipes.
• Wambach won the faceoff battle with 14 wins, adding five ground balls.
Inside The Numbers
• Friday was Carolina's 15th win in the series against Syracuse.
• Duffy has posted a point in all 42 career games, posting a career-best six assists.
• In the third quarter, Wambach broke UNC's single-season ground ball record, previously held by Jude Collins (160 in 1996).
• Wilson has scored a goal in 11-straight games. The Charlotte native's three goals tied his career best.
• Pietramala has moved into sole possession of fifth place on Carolina's career goals list, sitting at 122. In the game, the attackman passed Marcus Holman (121 from 2010-13).
Up Next
• Carolina will face Virginia in Sunday's title game from Charlotte.
• Opening faceoff is set for noon, televised on ACC Network.
With the win, Carolina advances to Sunday's title game meeting No. 4 Virginia. The title game appearance is the first for the Tar Heels since 2017.
How It Happened
• Each team scored once in the opening quarter, as Luke Bair hit the back of the net, with an assist from Owen Duffy at the 10:30 mark.
• Brevin Wilson scored less than a minute into the second quarter, followed by four-straight Syracuse goals. The Orange led by three with 3:03 remaining in the opening half, 5-2.
• The Tar Heels answered with back-to-back goals from Brady Wambach, trimming the deficit to one with 2:44 left in the half.
• Syracuse's Finn Thomson converted with 12 seconds remaining, pushing the Orange lead to 6-4 entering the break.
• Carolina opened the second half with three-straight goals, courtesy of Caden Harshbarger, Duffy and Dominic Pietramala, leading 7-6 with 10:04 remaining in the third.
• The Orange followed with back-to-back goals, leading by one after 45 minutes of play, 8-7.
• Following a Syracuse fourth quarter opening goal the Tar Heels rattled off four-straight goals, taking a two-goal lead with 7:48 left, 11-9.
• Following a Syracuse goal, Wilson scored his third of the night, securing the win for Carolina.
Tar Heel Performances
• Duffy posted a game-high seven points in the win.
• Bair and Wambach hit the back of the net twice.
• Parker McDonald posted a game-high three caused turnovers.
• Josh Marcus made 11 saves between the pipes.
• Wambach won the faceoff battle with 14 wins, adding five ground balls.
Inside The Numbers
• Friday was Carolina's 15th win in the series against Syracuse.
• Duffy has posted a point in all 42 career games, posting a career-best six assists.
• In the third quarter, Wambach broke UNC's single-season ground ball record, previously held by Jude Collins (160 in 1996).
• Wilson has scored a goal in 11-straight games. The Charlotte native's three goals tied his career best.
• Pietramala has moved into sole possession of fifth place on Carolina's career goals list, sitting at 122. In the game, the attackman passed Marcus Holman (121 from 2010-13).
Up Next
• Carolina will face Virginia in Sunday's title game from Charlotte.
• Opening faceoff is set for noon, televised on ACC Network.
Team Stats
SYRACUSE
NORTH CA
Shots
40
41
Turnovers
16
20
Caused Turnovers
9
6
Faceoffs Won
12
14
Extra-Man Opps
4
4
Ground Balls
32
31
Game Leaders
G
3
A
0
FO
-
Pen
1-30
GB
2
CT
0
G
2
A
0
FO
14-26
Pen
-
GB
5
CT
0
G
1
A
0
FO
-
Pen
-
GB
0
CT
0
Players Mentioned
Attackman
/ Men's Lacrosse
Midfielder
/ Men's Lacrosse
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Lacrosse
Longstick Midfielder
/ Men's Lacrosse
Attackman
/ Men's LacrosseFaceoff
/ Men's LacrosseAttackman
/ Men's LacrosseUNC Men's Lacrosse: Tar Heels Advance to ACC Championship with Win vs Syracuse, 12-10
Saturday, May 02
MLAX: Tar Heels Advance to ACC Championship with Win vs Syracuse, 12-10
Friday, May 01
UNC Women's Lacrosse: Tar Heels Win 9th ACC Championship, Beat Stanford, 12-8
Sunday, April 26
UNC Baseball: Tar Heels Dominate Duke, 22-5, for Series Win
Saturday, April 25