NCAA Women's Lacrosse Preview: Could No. 4 UNC Be Back?

USA Lacrosse Magazine is beginning its countdown to the 2025 women's lacrosse season by releasing one team preview per day beginning on Monday, Jan. 13.

We continue the countdown with No. 4 North Carolina, which was decimated by injuries in 2024 but welcomes highly anticipated talent for 2025.

It almost seemed like North Carolina’s 2024 season went off the rails before it could begin, and through no fault of anyone.

A handful of would-be pivotal contributors — Brooklyn Walker-Welch, Chloe Humphrey, Kaleigh Harden and Marissa White — were lost for the season before it could even get started.

It was something of an uphill climb from there, though the Tar Heels did what they always do. Jenny Levy led her team to the NCAA tournament, but it was a rare one-and-done postseason. They fell to eventual NCAA semifinalist Florida, kickstarting the offseason a couple weeks earlier than usual.

This spring, however, boasts a significantly different vibe. Is it fair to call it a rebirth? Maybe.

With health not being as glaring a factor, North Carolina is already in a better place. And these incoming freshmen? They’re otherworldly. So, even if North Carolina isn’t back to its old self in 2025, it is set up for great success in the years to come.

TOP RETURNERS

Brooklyn Walker-Welch, D, R-Jr. (did not play in 2024) 
Ashley Humphrey, A, Gr. (19G, 38A) 
Caroline Godine, A, Jr. (27G, 20A)

For as much newness as North Carolina’s starting lineup and rotation could have, there are still a couple of anchors. Brooklyn Walker-Welch is back after an injury robbed her of the 2024 season, and she’ll immediately fall right back in as the team’s go-to defender. Offensively, Ashley Humphrey and Caroline Godine played big roles a year ago and should continue to do so.

KEY ADDITIONS

Kate Levy, M, Fr.
Tess Calabria, A, Fr.
Charlotte Corkins, M, Fr.
Eliza Osburn, M, Fr.
Addison Pattillo, A, Fr.
Lexi Zenk, G, Fr.
Chloe Humphrey, A, R-Fr. (did not play in 2024)
Olivia Vergano, A, Sr. (39G, 9 A at Virginia Tech)

There is an actual embarrassment of riches when it comes to North Carolina’s freshmen class. Its depth is stunning. According to Inside Lacrosse, Jenny Levy successfully recruited the nation’s No. 1 freshman (Pattillo), No. 3 freshman (Kate Levy), No. 6 freshman (Osburn), No. 12 freshman (Corkins), No. 15 freshman (Zenk) and No. 18 freshman (Calabria).

The Tar Heels will also welcome back last year’s top freshman Chloe Humphrey, who missed the entire 2024 season with an injury. Plus, they added Virginia Tech star Olivia Vergano to the mix. What an offseason haul.

NOTABLE DEPARTURES

Graduations: Caitlyn Wurzburger, A; Emily Nalls, D; Alyssa Long, M; Olivia Dirks, M; Gabi Hall, D

X-FACTOR

Alecia Nicholas, G, Sr.
Stella Harrison, G, R-Sr.
Lexi Zenk, G, Fr.
Betty Nelson, G, So.

Alecia Nicholas enters 2025 as the incumbent starter, one who Jenny Levy had enough confidence in to briefly replace Taylor Moreno in the 2023 NCAA title game. She saved 33.7 percent of shots last season, though it might be unfair to criticize a player who was fresh off a cancer battle and was determined to be there for her team.

Still, it’s important to recognize a crowded and talented goalie room. Stella Harrison started a game in Nicholas’ stead last year and saved 38.9 percent of shots. Betty Nelson entered Chapel Hill last season as a highly touted prospect from Colorado. Now Lexi Zenk joins the fray as the No. 2 goalie in her class, according to Inside Lacrosse.

North Carolina stopped just 34.9 percent of shots on the whole last season. That has to change for the Tar Heels to reassert their spot near the top of the rankings.

THE NARRATIVE

Let’s build more on last section’s goalie conversation. This comes courtesy of Zack Capozzi of Lacrosse Reference. Last season, North Carolina ranked third in the country in limiting opponents’ shots on goal. The defense overall was down (33rd-best in efficiency, according to Capozzi), but it did one thing really, really well.

That’s why the return of Walker-Welch and a return to form for Nicholas or the emergence of another netminder could mean incredible things for the usually stout Tar Heel defense.

Looking back at the 2024 schedule, North Carolina suffered two one-goal losses and one two-goal loss. Previous Tar Heel teams almost never fell victim to close losses like that.