ACC Quarterfinal Recap: Virginia Beats UNC for First Time in a Decade

Coming up on a decade since its last win over North Carolina, Virginia finally got back in the win column on Wednesday in the ACC tournament quarterfinals in Charlotte, N.C.

The fifth-seeded Cavaliers, who lost to North Carolina 10-9 in overtime earlier this season, were on the positive end of a one-goal margin this time, advancing to the semifinals with a 13-12 victory.

In a game that featured seven ties, Virginia took a semblance of control by scoring  four straight goals to end the third quarter, turning a 9-8 North Carolina lead into a 12-9 Virginia lead. Two Mackenzie Hoeg goals were sandwiched by Katia Carnevale and Kiki Shaw tallies during what proved to be a game-shifting run.

North Carolina scored the next two, getting back within a goal, but freshman Jenna Dinardo scored one of her three goals to give Virginia a two-goal cushion with 2:35 to play.

Mel Josephson made 11 saves, backstopping Virginia into the next round.

(2) Notre Dame def. (7) Clemson 14-12

A six-goal Notre Dame run between the second and third quarters was enough to thwart an upset-minded Clemson team, advancing the Irish to the ACC semifinals against Boston College on Friday.

Trailing 7-5 after Hanna Hilcoff scored one of her four goals for the Tigers, Notre Dame went on its run to take an 11-7 lead less than a minute into the second half. Madison Ahern and Jackie Wolak, who each scored four goals in the game, both scored twice during the run.

Clemson continued keeping it close, with Hilcoff cutting the deficit to 14-11 with 9:15 to go. But the Notre Dame defense held firm, not letting in another goal until there were 39 seconds left.

(3) Boston College def. (6) Duke 19-5

Rachel Clark deposited four goals, and three others — Emma LoPinto, Kayla Martello and Belle Smith — each had a hat trick in Boston College’s big win to cap the four-game slate. The Eagles never trailed after Hunter Roman assisted Martello to make the score 2-1 early in the first quarter.

It was a thoroughly dominant BC performance. The Eagles outshot Duke 40-13 and won 20 of 25 draw controls.

(1) Syracuse def. (9) Louisville 17-8

Louisville held a 3-2 first-quarter lead before ACC regular-season champion Syracuse ripped off six straight goals and never looked back. Emma Tyrrell led the Orange with four goals and two assists, and Emma Ward wasn’t far behind with three goals and one assist.

Syracuse had it all working in every facet. Kate Mashewske won 15 draw controls, and Katie Goodale had four ground balls and five caused turnovers.

Syracuse next plays Virginia on Friday at 5 p.m. in the tournament semifinals.

ACC SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE

Friday, April 24, All Times Eastern

5 p.m. — (1) Syracuse vs. (5) Virginia
8 p.m. — (2) Notre Dame vs. (3) Boston College