Ela Hazar leads No. 1 North Carolina past No. 3 Florida

GAINESVILLE, FLA.—Ela Hazar tied her career high with six points as the top-ranked University of North Carolina women’s lacrosse team posted a 13-10 win at No. 3 Florida on Saturday afternoon at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sammy Jo Tracy scored three of her four goals in a 4-1 Tar Heel blitz in the final 3:49 of the game that turned a 9-9 tie into a 13-10 victory.

The victory improved Carolina to 2-0 this season and is the Tar Heels’ 19th consecutive win. The Gators fell to 0-1.  UNC is 7-2 all-time against Florida.

6 points from Ela Hazar & 4 goals from Sammy Jo Tracy highlight the big 13-10 win over No. 3 Florida. pic.twitter.com/TYS5VNGOpK

— UNC Women's Lacrosse (@uncwlax) February 11, 2017

Molly Hendrick had three first-half goals, Carly Reed scored twice and Maggie Bill had a goal and an assist for Carolina. Sydney Holman scored a free position goal, while Marie McCool and Alex Mooreeach had assists.

Shayna Pirreca and Sydney Pirreca each scored three times for the Gators, while Mollie Stevens added two goals and an assist.

Caylee Waters went the distance in goal for Carolina and made 12 saves, including eight in the decisive second half, to improve to 2-0 this season. Florida’s Haley Hicklen also made 12 saves while allowing 13 goals in taking the loss to fall to 0-1.

Midway through the second half after Carolina had taken an 8-5 lead on Holman’s goal, Florida went on a 4-1 run to tie the score at 9-all with 7:58 to play. After several scoreless minutes, Tracy scored back-to-back goals for an 11-9 lead, then Hazar took a pass from Moore and scored to make it 12-9 with 1:42 left. Sydney Pirreca scored with 1:06 left to make it 12-10, but Tracy’s unassisted goal 12 seconds later ended the day’s scoring.

Carolina will return to action next Friday at against High Point.