UNC WLAX opens season with 13-9 win over JMU

Peter Koutroumpis, Triangle Sports Network

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The second-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels (1-0) got four goals and an assist from sophomore transfer Alex Moore and opened its 2015 season with a 13-9 victory over the James Madison Dukes (0-1) at Fetzer Field on Sunday.

Molly Hendrick and Brittney Coppa both scored twice for the Tar Heels, who improved to 16-4 in season openers and 4-2 against James Madison in the first meeting between the schools since 2002.

The Tar Heels led, 6-5, at halftime before allowing JMU to take a 7-6 lead on back-to-back goals by Jaci Gordon and Leah Monticello in the first seven minutes of the second half.

Carolina then went on a 5-0 run in the next nine minutes with Moore scoring three of those goals to help put it out of reach.

Eight different Tar Heels scored goals in the victory.

In addition to Moore, Copa and Hendrick, Carolina got single goals from Sammy Jo Tracy, Aly Messinger, Marie McCool, Kelly Devlin and Ela Hazar.

Carly Reed and Sydney Holman dished out assists for UNC.

Several Tar Heels made their official returns to the field after missing last season due to injury, including Tracy (foot), Holman (knee), Coppa (knee) and Devlin (knee).

Monticello led the Dukes with four goals, while Stephanie Finley had two goals and an assist.

Ali Curwin had one goal and one assist, Jaci Gordon and Brooks Lawler each scored once and Carter Reifsnder had an assist.

Sophomore Caylee Waters started the game in goal for North Carolina and played the first half, allowing five goals and making three saves.

Megan Ward (1-0) played the second half and allowed four goals while making four saves.

Schylar Healy went the distance in the cage for James Madison, making 11 saves and allowing 13 goals.

Carolina will return to action Saturday at Florida in Gainesville, Fla.

Boxscore

No. 2 North Carolina 13, James Madison 9

Scoring:

UNC goals – Alex Moore 4, Brittney Coppa 2, Molly Hendrick 2, Aly Messinger 1, Sammy Jo Tracy 1, Kelly Devlin 1, Ela Hazar 1, Marie McCool 1

UNC assists — Sydney Holman 1, Carly Reed 1, Moore 1

JMU goals – Leah Monticello 4, Stephanie Finley 2, Jaci Gordon 1, Brooks Lawler 1, Allison Curwin 1

JMU assists —Carter Reifsnider 1, Alison Curwin 1, Finley 1

Shots: UNC 35, JMU 22

Ground balls: UNC 22, JMU 20

Draw controls: UNC 16, JMU 8

Goalkeepers: UNC –Caylee Waters (30:00 minutes, 5 goals allowed, 3 saves), Megan Ward (W, 1-0, 30:00, 4 goals allowed, 4 saves); JMU – Schylar Healy (60:00 minutes, 13 goals allowed, 11 saves)

Turnovers: UNC 10, JMU 18