North Carolina Tar Heels men's lacrosse
Founded1949 (varsity), 1937 (club)
UniversityUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Head coachJoe Breschi (since 2009 season)
StadiumDorrance Field
(capacity: 4,200)
LocationChapel Hill, North Carolina
ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
NicknameTar Heels
ColorsCarolina blue and white[1]
   
NCAA Tournament championships
1981, 1982, 1986, 1991, 2016
NCAA Tournament Runner-Up
1993
NCAA Tournament Final Fours
1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2016, 2021
NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals
1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
NCAA Tournament appearances
(33) - 1976, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2021
Conference Tournament championships
1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2013, 2017
Conference regular season championships
1981, 1982, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2021

The North Carolina Tar Heels men's lacrosse team represents the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's lacrosse. North Carolina currently competes as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and plays its home games at Fetzer Field and Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Their main rivalry series is with fellow ACC member Duke.

Overview

A club team was established at the school in 1937, but didn't play until 1938. That team played until the start of World War II until another club team was established for the 1944 season. When lacrosse returned to campus in 1949, it was elevated to varsity status. Carolina rose to national prominence in the late 1970s under Hall of Fame coach and former Johns Hopkins Blue Jay Willie Scroggs.[2] The program's first 1st-team All-American in Division I was defenseman Ralph "Rip" Davy in 1979.[3] Between 1980 and 1996, the UNC lacrosse team qualified for the NCAA tournament 14 of the 16 years. During that span, Carolina also won 11 ACC titles. In 1981, the Tar Heels began a 26-game winning streak, and won the national championship in 1981, 1982 and 1986.

The UNC lacrosse program won its fifth national title in 2016, beating Maryland 14-13 in an overtime thriller. At 12-6 on the season, UNC entered the NCAA tournament unseeded at 8-6. They became the first unseeded national champion in the last 45 years. This is the first title since 1991, when they won their fourth national title, going undefeated on the season at 16-0.[4] Since then, UNC won four of five ACC championship games between 1992 and 1996.

History

1937–1954

The first lacrosse team was formed in 1937 at the club level. At the time, they used old equipment from the football team and competed in the Dixie Lacrosse League against Duke, Virginia, Washington & Lee, Loyola, and the Washington Lacrosse Club. The Tar Heels were the Dixie Lacrosse League champions for 1941. In 1949, the university conferred varsity status on the team, and in 1950, North Carolina became a member of the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA). The following season, goalie Nick Sowell became the Tar Heels' first All-American when he was named to the USILA Honorable Mention team.[5]

Carolina players in action against Duke in the 2009 ACC final.

In 1954, after compiling a combined 14-43-1 record in its first six seasons, the varsity team was disbanded by the administration to focus on other sports.

1964–1974

Lacrosse returned as a varsity sport in 1964. In 1974, Paul Doty took over as head coach. That year, the school started awarding scholarships for the sport and was promoted from the small college level (now Division II and Division III) to Division I.[6]

1979–1990

In 1979, William Scroggs became the head coach at North Carolina and led the Tar Heels to six ACC titles, three NCAA championships, and 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament during a 12-year career. He compiled a record of 120-37 (.764) as the head coach at North Carolina, with NCAA titles in 1981, 1982, and 1986. Scroggs would retire after a loss to Syracuse University in the Semifinals of the NCAA Tournament. From 1986 to 1990, Scroggs coached Joe Breschi, who later became the coach of the UNC Men's Lacrosse team.

1991–2000

In 1991, first-year head coach Dave Klarmann replaced Willie Scroggs and led the Tar Heels through an undefeated regular season. Carolina extended its winning streak throughout the postseason, first winning the ACC tournament, and then defeating Loyola, Syracuse, and Towson succeeding to post a perfect 16–0 mark and capture the NCAA national championship. Klarmann's teams repeated as ACC tournament champions in 1992 before advancing to the NCAA Championship semifinal, where they fell to third-seeded Princeton, 16-14. In 1993 and 1994, Carolina again captured the ACC title, but fell to Syracuse in the NCAA Championship 13-12 in 1993 and suffered an early exit in the 1994 NCAA tournament. In the late 1990s, the Tar Heels struggled, alternately, to qualify for or advance in the NCAA tournament.[6]

At the end of the head coach's Dave Klarmann's time at UNC (10 years, one national championship, five ACC tournament championships) there were a series of off-the-field incidences between 1995 and 1999. One player died of a gunshot wound, another from asphyxiation, another was injured from a stabbing in a nightclub and a fourth had a serious illness.[7]

2001–2008

John Haus replaced Klarmann as head coach for the 2001 season. John Haus was UNC's head coach from 2001 to 2008. In his fourth year, Carolina advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals before losing to Johns Hopkins, 15–9. They returned to the NCAA tournament and quarterfinals in 2007, where they were defeated by second-seeded Duke, 19–11. In 2008, Carolina was knocked out of the first round by Navy.[6]

2009

In 2009, alumnus Joe Breschi, a former first-team All-American defenseman in 1990 and USA national team member in 1990 and 1994, became head coach at his alma mater, after being a coach at Ohio State University. In Breschi's first season in 2009, North Carolina surprised many observers when the team returned to the NCAA quarterfinals, before losing to rival Duke 12-11. The lackluster performance as head coach from John Haus had brought many questions from fans on if UNC men's lacrosse could recover. Breschi took the challenge, and has completely rebuilt the program, transforming them into a top contender once again. Joe Breschi, Ryan Wade, Marcus Holman, Frank Riggs, Tommy Sears. Joey Sievold, Randy Cox, and Mac Ford are the only UNC players to play for the USA National Team.

2010

In 2010, The Baltimore Sun commented that "it's no longer a question whether Breschi can rebuild North Carolina, but when the Tar Heels will arrive."[8] In his second season, Carolina again advanced to the quarterfinals before losing to Duke, 17–9. That season, North Carolina swept the ACC postseason awards, with Breschi named ACC Coach of the Year, junior attackman Billy Bitter named ACC Player of the Year, and Marcus Holman named ACC Freshman of the Year.[9]

2012

UNC finished the 2012 season with an 11-6 record, for the sixth season in a row UNC had a winning record. UNC lost to Duke in the ACC Tournament final game. UNC received a #8 seed in the 16-team 2012 NCAA tournament. UNC lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament to Denver 14-16. Denver lost in the next round to eventual champion Loyola (Md.).[10] It was the second year in a row UNC lost in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

2013

UNC attained a #1 ranking[11] in the 2013 season and won the ACC tournament. Attackman Marcus Holman was the second player in UNC lacrosse history to be named a finalist for the annual Tewaaraton award given to the best college lacrosse player. Attackman Jed Prosser was UNC's first finalist in 2004.[12]

Season Results

The following is a list of North Carolina's results by season as an NCAA Division I program:

Season Coach Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Fred Mueller (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1969–1972)
1971 Fred Mueller 6–51–23rd
1972 Fred Mueller 7–51–23rd
Fred Mueller: 27–16 (.628)4–8 (.333)
Ron Miller (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1973–1974)
1973 Ron Miller 12–52–23rd
Ron Miller: 12–5 (.706)2–2 (.500)
Paul Doty (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1974–1978)
1974 Paul Doty 6–52–23rd
1975 Paul Doty 8–62–2T–2nd
1976 Paul Doty 9–33–12ndNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
1977 Paul Doty 8–42–2T–2ndNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
1978 Paul Doty 6–61–34th
Paul Doty: 37–24 (.607)10–10 (.500)
Willie Scroggs (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1979–1990)
1979 Willie Scroggs 5–31–34th
1980 Willie Scroggs 8–42–2T–3rdNCAA Division I Final Four
1981 Willie Scroggs 12–04–01stNCAA Division I Champion
1982 Willie Scroggs 14–04–01stNCAA Division I Champion
1983 Willie Scroggs 9–41–23rdNCAA Division I Final Four
1984 Willie Scroggs 9–42–12ndNCAA Division I Final Four
1985 Willie Scroggs 10–32–1T–1stNCAA Division I Final Four
1986 Willie Scroggs 11–31–23rdNCAA Division I Champion
1987 Willie Scroggs 9–41–23rdNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
1988 Willie Scroggs 9–33–01stNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
1989 Willie Scroggs 13–52–12ndNCAA Division I Final Four
1990 Willie Scroggs 12–42–12ndNCAA Division I Final Four
Willie Scroggs: 121–37 (.766)25–15 (.625)
Dave Klarmann (Atlantic Coast Conference) (1991–2000)
1991 Dave Klarmann 16–03–01stNCAA Division I Champion
1992 Dave Klarmann 12–33–01stNCAA Division I Final Four
1993 Dave Klarmann 14–22–12ndNCAA Division I Runner–Up
1994 Dave Klarmann 10–52–1T–1stNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
1995 Dave Klarmann 9–71–23rdNCAA Division I First Round
1996 Dave Klarmann 12–52–1T–1stNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
1997 Dave Klarmann 6–70–34th
1998 Dave Klarmann 7–80–34thNCAA Division I First Round
1999 Dave Klarmann 6–91–2T–3rd
2000 Dave Klarmann 8–60–34th
Dave Klarmann: 100–52 (.658)14–16 (.467)
John Haus (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2001–2008)
2001 John Haus 6–61–2T–3rd
2002 John Haus 8–51–2T–2nd
2003 John Haus 7–62–1T–1st
2004 John Haus 10–52–12ndNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
2005 John Haus 5–80–34th
2006 John Haus 4–100–33rd
2007 John Haus 10–60–34thNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
2008 John Haus 8–60–34thNCAA Division I First Round
John Haus: 58–52 (.527)6–18 (.250)
Joe Breschi (Atlantic Coast Conference) (2009–Present)
2009 Joe Breschi 12–60–34thNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
2010 Joe Breschi 13–32–1T–1stNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
2011 Joe Breschi 10–61–2T–2ndNCAA Division I First Round
2012 Joe Breschi 11–61–2T–3rdNCAA Division I First Round
2013 Joe Breschi 13–42–1T–1stNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
2014 Joe Breschi 10–52–3T–3rdNCAA Division I First Round
2015 Joe Breschi 13–43–12ndNCAA Division I Quarterfinals
2016 Joe Breschi 12–63–1T–1stNCAA Division I Champion
2017 Joe Breschi 8–81–34thNCAA Division I First Round
2018 Joe Breschi 7–71–3T–3rd
2019 Joe Breschi 8–71–35th
2020 Joe Breschi 7–00–0††
2021 Joe Breschi 13–34–2T–1stNCAA Division I Final Four
2022 Joe Breschi 8–61–5T–4th
2023 Joe Breschi 7–71–5T–4th
Joe Breschi: 152–78 (.661)23–35 (.397)
Total:537–324–2 (.623)

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

†NCAA canceled 2020 collegiate activities due to the COVID-19 virus.

Alumni in the Premier Lacrosse League (8)

Year Drafted Name Position Height Weight Drafted By Draft Pick Current Team All Star Accolades
2013 Marcus Holman Attack 5'10 180 Ohio Machine (MLL) 2nd round (12th overall) Archers LC 2x All Star ('19,'21) None
2014 Mark McNeill D Midfield 6'3 215 Chesapeake Bayhawks (MLL) 7th round (50th overall) Archers LC 1x All Star ('21) None
2017 Austin Pifani Defense 6'2 205 New York Lizards (MLL) 2nd round (14th overall) Atlas LC None None
2017 Stephen Kelly Faceoff 5'11 185 Chesapeake Bayhawks (MLL) 6th round (48th overall) Cannons LC 1x All Star ('21) None
2018 Chris Cloutier Attack 5'11 220 Denver Outlaws (MLL) 4th round (29th overall) Chaos LC None None
2019 Jack Rowlett Defense 6'1 195 Chaos LC 2nd round (7th overall) Chaos LC 2x All Star ('19,'20) None
2021 Tanner Cook Midfield 6'4 215 Chaos LC 2nd round (15th overall) Chaos LC None None
2021 Justin Anderson Midfield 6'0 195 Chrome LC 3rd round (20th overall) Chrome LC None None
2022 Chris Gray Attack 5'7 170 Atlas LC 1st round (2nd overall) Atlas LC None None

Alumni

First Team All-Americans

Year Player(s)[13][14]
1979Ralph "Rip" Davy
1980Kevin Griswold
1981Michael Burnett, Douglas Hall, Thomas Sears
1982Michael Burnett, John Haus, Jeffrey Homire, Peter Voelkel, Thomas Sears*
1984Thomas Haus, Joseph Seivold
1985Mac Ford, Joseph Seivold
1986Thomas Haus*
1987Thomas Haus
1988Boyd Harden
1990Joe Breschi
1991Dennis Goldstein*, Graham Harden, Andy Piazza
1992Jim Buczek, Alex Martin
1993Alex Martin, Greg Paradine, Ryan Wade
1994Ryan Wade
1996Jude Collins, Jason Wade
2004Jed Prossner, Ronnie Staines
2005Jed Prossner
2009Billy Bitter
2010Billy Bitter, Ryan Flanagan
2012RG Keenan,
2013Marcus Holman,
2015Chad Tutton, Ryan Kilpatrick
2017Austin Pifani
2021Chris Gray
2022Chris Gray

*Player of the Year

Former players in Major League Lacrosse (MLL)

Major League Lacrosse (MLL) currently has eight teams. The 2013 season starts at the end of April and ends in August. There are four former UNC players who played for MLL teams in the 2012 season. Billy Bitter (attack, UNC '11) and Ryan Flanagan (defenseman, UNC '11) played for the Charlotte Hounds in the 2012 season. Flanagan is currently on the Charlotte Hounds roster for the 2013 season.[15] Ben Hunt (midfielder, UNC '09) and Tim Kaiser (defenseman, UNC '08) play for the Chesapeake Bayhawks.[16]

Only seniors with expiring eligibility are eligible to be drafted by MLL teams in the annual January drafts.[17] After the NCAA season is completed on Memorial Day, the MLL will allow all undrafted seniors who completed their eligibility to register for a player pool, giving MLL teams an opportunity to select the undrafted players for one week. The Ohio Machine selected current senior Marcus Holman in the second round of the last MLL draft.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Primary Identity". Carolina Athletics Brand Identity Guidelines (PDF). April 20, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
  2. ↑ National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, USLacrosse.org, 2009.
  3. ↑ "Men's All-Americans Since 1922". laxpower.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2009-05-16.
  4. ↑ "DI Men's Lacrosse". NCAA.com.
  5. ↑ Laxpower Men's All-Americans Since 1922 Archived 2013-12-19 at the Wayback Machine, Laxpower.com, 2009.
  6. 1 2 3 2009 North Carolina Men's Lacrosse Media Guide (PDF), University of North Carolina, p. 34-38, 2009.
  7. ↑ "Kevin Lawn Unc Lacrosse - Face-off with adversity - tribunedigital-baltimoresun". tribunedigital-baltimoresun.
  8. ↑ Mike Preston, Under Breschi, North Carolina no longer a surprise, The Baltimore Sun, Mar 26, 2010.
  9. ↑ SPORTS Briefs, Chapel Hill News, May 12, 2010.
  10. ↑ "2015 NCAA men's lacrosse tournament DI". NCAA.com.
  11. ↑ "LaxPower Forum Poll". laxpower.com.
  12. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2022-02-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. ↑ "College All-Americans". laxpower.com.
  14. ↑ "United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association / All Americans". usila.org. Archived from the original on 2014-12-01. Retrieved 2013-04-03.
  15. ↑ "Roster". charlottehounds.com.
  16. ↑ "Roster". thebayhawks.com.
  17. ↑ "MLL Draft FAQ". majorleaguelacrosse.com.
  18. ↑ "2013 Collegiate Draft Results". majorleaguelacrosse.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2013-04-04.
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