Northwestern's #1 ranking survived its toughest test Sunday, as the Wildcats outlasted #2 North Carolina 14-11 in a clash that lived up to every bit of its billing. The three-goal margin tells the story of a game where Northwestern's offense found just enough separation and its defense made it stand.
For the Tar Heels, now 19-2, the loss stings but reveals little weakness — only that the Wildcats, at 19-3, are operating on a different frequency right now. Northwestern's ability to control pace against an elite opponent is the kind of thing that travels deep into May.
Both programs look like locks for championship weekend, and this result may well be a preview of the last game of the season. If so, lacrosse fans are in for something special.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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