University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: DALTON T. WAINSCOTT
MLAX Downs UAlbany In NCAA First Round, Pietramala Breaks UNC Career & NCAA Tournament Single-Game Records
May 9, 2026 | Men's Lacrosse
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Dominic Pietramala's 10 goals fueled third-seeded North Carolina over UAlbany 24-6, Saturday afternoon in the NCAA Tournament first round.
With the win, Carolina has advanced to next weekend's quarterfinal round, meeting the winner of No. 6 Syracuse and Yale.
In Saturday's contest, Pietramala became Carolina's career goals leader, as well as breaking the UNC single-game and the NCAA Tournament's single-game goal records.
How It Happened
• Carolina jumped out to a six-goal lead in the first, kickstarted by a first-quarter hat trick from Pietramala.
• In the second, the Tar Heels outscored UAlbany 5-1, taking a 12-2 lead into the halftime break.
• With 6:39 left in the first half, Pietramala broke the Carolina career goals record, with his 129th career goal. In the process, he broke Bert Fett's (1972-75) previous record of 128 career goals.
• In the third frame, the Tar Heels posted seven goals for the second quarter of the day, pushing their lead to 19-4 after 45 minutes.
• Pietramala hit the back of the net to open the fourth quarter, breaking Carolina's single-game and the NCAA Tournament record with his 10th goal of the day. In the quarter, the Tar Heels hit the back of the net five times, securing the 18-goal victory.
Tar Heel Performances
• Pietramala posted 10 goals on 16 shots.
• Anthony Raio posted three goals and an assist, followed by two goals and an assist from Brevin Wilson.
• Three Tar Heels each dished out a pair of assists.
• Brady Wambach won 15 faceoffs and collected 10 ground balls.
• In his first career start, goalkeeper Kent Goode made eight saves.
Inside The Numbers
• Saturday was Carolina's first win over UAlbany.
• The Tar Heels are 36-29 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. With the win, Carolina has advanced to its 27th NCAA quarterfinal.
• The 24 goals were an NCAA Tournament program record, passing the Tar Heels' 21 goals against Michigan State in 1987. The 24-goal effort is third most all-time by any team in the first round.
• Wilson's first-quarter, man-down goal was the first for UNC this season.
• In the first half, Wambach broke Carolina's single-season faceoff wins record, passing Shane Walterhoefer's 269 wins in 2009.
• Saturday was Carolina's eighth home win of 2026, the most in a season since 2015.
• It was a program-record 24 NCAA Tournament goals, passing 21 vs. Michigan State in 1987, fourth most all-time at 22.
Up Next
• The Tar Heels will face the winner of No. 6 Syracuse and Yale, to be played Sunday night at 5 PM.
• Next weekend's quarterfinal matchup is set for Saturday, May 16 at James M. Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y., at a time TBA.
With the win, Carolina has advanced to next weekend's quarterfinal round, meeting the winner of No. 6 Syracuse and Yale.
In Saturday's contest, Pietramala became Carolina's career goals leader, as well as breaking the UNC single-game and the NCAA Tournament's single-game goal records.
How It Happened
• Carolina jumped out to a six-goal lead in the first, kickstarted by a first-quarter hat trick from Pietramala.
• In the second, the Tar Heels outscored UAlbany 5-1, taking a 12-2 lead into the halftime break.
• With 6:39 left in the first half, Pietramala broke the Carolina career goals record, with his 129th career goal. In the process, he broke Bert Fett's (1972-75) previous record of 128 career goals.
• In the third frame, the Tar Heels posted seven goals for the second quarter of the day, pushing their lead to 19-4 after 45 minutes.
• Pietramala hit the back of the net to open the fourth quarter, breaking Carolina's single-game and the NCAA Tournament record with his 10th goal of the day. In the quarter, the Tar Heels hit the back of the net five times, securing the 18-goal victory.
Tar Heel Performances
• Pietramala posted 10 goals on 16 shots.
• Anthony Raio posted three goals and an assist, followed by two goals and an assist from Brevin Wilson.
• Three Tar Heels each dished out a pair of assists.
• Brady Wambach won 15 faceoffs and collected 10 ground balls.
• In his first career start, goalkeeper Kent Goode made eight saves.
Inside The Numbers
• Saturday was Carolina's first win over UAlbany.
• The Tar Heels are 36-29 all-time in the NCAA Tournament. With the win, Carolina has advanced to its 27th NCAA quarterfinal.
• The 24 goals were an NCAA Tournament program record, passing the Tar Heels' 21 goals against Michigan State in 1987. The 24-goal effort is third most all-time by any team in the first round.
• Wilson's first-quarter, man-down goal was the first for UNC this season.
• In the first half, Wambach broke Carolina's single-season faceoff wins record, passing Shane Walterhoefer's 269 wins in 2009.
• Saturday was Carolina's eighth home win of 2026, the most in a season since 2015.
• It was a program-record 24 NCAA Tournament goals, passing 21 vs. Michigan State in 1987, fourth most all-time at 22.
Up Next
• The Tar Heels will face the winner of No. 6 Syracuse and Yale, to be played Sunday night at 5 PM.
• Next weekend's quarterfinal matchup is set for Saturday, May 16 at James M. Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y., at a time TBA.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Men's Lacrosse
Attackman
/ Men's Lacrosse
Midfielder
/ Men's Lacrosse
Faceoff
/ Men's Lacrosse
Attackman
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