The two heavyweights in the collegiate women's lacrosse world staged a prize fight to remember on Saturday, ending with a 16-15 North Carolina win over top-ranked Maryland on senior Marie McCool's goal just 43 seconds into overtime at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Maryland (2014, 2015, 2017) and North Carolina (2013, 2016) have combined to win the last five NCAA Division I championships with both UNC titles coming against Maryland and Maryland's 2015 title coming at the expense of the Tar Heels. Maryland's move from the Atlantic Coast Conference to the Big Ten has done little to diminish the rivalry, which once again came down to the final seconds.

Tar Heel freshman Jamie Ortega, who scored four times on her own, drew a quick slide and then found McCool wide open in front of the net. McCool calmly collected the pass, kept her stick high and buried the winner into the top left corner of the goal.

Freshman Jamie Ortega finds senior All-American Marie McCool all alone in front and @uncwlax beats No. 1 Maryland 16-15 in overtime. Ortega 4g, 2a and McCool 4g, 1a. pic.twitter.com/sFFhv9Fci5

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) February 24, 2018

It was a big win for a relatively young North Carolina program that saw its 2017 season end with a stunning NCAA quarterfinal loss to Navy and then opened the 2018 season with a loss on the road at James Madison.

"It’s always fun when we play Maryland," said North Carolina head coach Jenny Levy. "I thought we did some really good things, and we did some things that showed we’re still a little inexperienced."

After the Tar Heels had jumped out in front 3-1, Maryland ripped off six straight goals in less than five minutes to take a 7-3 lead with 17:34 left in the game.

All three of the Tar Heels early goals came from freshmen, two by Ally Mastroianni and one from Ortega. But coming into the season, Levy said her team would need to rely on the veterans - primarily the senior tandem of McCool and Ela Hazar - to bring the younger players along in the early part of the season.

The duo delivered on Saturday.

Facing the four-goal deficit, McCool and Hazar scored the next two goals of the game and then Hazar had an assist to help cut the Terps lead to one. After Maryland built its lead back to three goals, McCool answered with two of the next three goals, scoring early in the second half to tie the game 9-9. Hazar's second goal of the game tied it 11-11.

Hazar and McCool saved their best for when Carolina needed it most.

Trailing 15-14 late in the game, North Carolina's Kara Klages forced a turnover in the last minute to give the Tar Heels a final chance. McCool had the ball on the right wing and threw a perfect feed to a cutting Hazar right in front of the Maryland goal. Hazar one-timed it in for the game-tying goal with 0:22 to force overtime where McCool, who spent the summer helping the U.S. women's national team win two world championships, came through with the winning goal.

Headed to OT in Chapel HIll with @uncwlax and @MarylandWLax. Tar Heels' Ela Hazar tied it 15-15 with 0:22 left off feed from Marie McCool. pic.twitter.com/b8zaIPcdyG

— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) February 24, 2018

The loss spoiled an impressive offensive showing for Maryland, which was looking to pick up its second straight big road victory after downing Florida last weekend.

The Terps were deadly on free position opportunities, converting 9-of-11 shots in the game. Jen Giles had a team-high three goals, two of them free position shots, and was one of seven Maryland players to score at least two goals. Kali Hartshorn, who had a game-high 11 draw controls, was one of the Terps with two goals.

Conversely, North Carolina struggled with its free position opportunities, making just 2-of-8. One of the two they made was huge, with Ortega converting with 3:51 to go in the game when the Tar Heels were trailing 15-13.

As good as Carolina's veterans were in the game, Levy also got a great look at what the future can bring.

Ortega's six points (4g, 2a) led UNC. Mastroianni had two goals and an assist, sophomore Katie Hoeg had a goal and two assists and freshman Emma Trenchard secured the draw control to start overtime, one of four she had in the game. Redshirt freshman goalie Taylor Moreno came off the bench to earn the win, making seven saves in 48 minutes.