No. 11 Northwestern Set for National Title Rematch Against No. 1 UNC Northwestern’s women’s lacrosse team is preparing for a highly anticipated showdown against No. 1 North Carolina, a rematch of the 2025 NCAA national championship game. The matchup, set for Wednesday at Dorrance Field in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, will mark the Wildcats’ first visit to the venue since 2024 and their final non-conference contest of the 2026 season. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU, with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. CT. The Wildcats, ranked No. 11 in the nation, enter the contest with a 6-3 overall record and a 1-1 mark in Big Ten play. Their recent 17-3 victory over Oregon highlighted their offensive prowess, as Madison Taylor led the charge with 10 points (seven goals, three assists). The win also saw Northwestern limit opponents to just three goals, the fewest allowed in Big Ten games this season. Taylor’s performance further solidified her status as one of the nation’s top scorers, with 407 career points and 290 career goals—both NCAA records. North Carolina, the reigning national champions, brings a formidable presence to the match. The Tar Heels, ranked No. 1, are undefeated at 9-0 overall and 7-0 in the ACC. Head coach Jenny Levy’s squad has maintained a 31-game winning streak since the 2025 title game, where they defeated Northwestern 12-8. UNC’s offense, led by Tewaaraton Award winner Chloe Humphrey (46 goals, 20 assists), averages 25.67 points per game while holding opponents to just 10.33 points. Goalkeeper Betty Nelson, with a 38.5% save percentage, anchors the defense. The rivalry between the two programs is storied, with UNC holding a 15-13 all-time series edge.#chapel_hill #northwestern_women_lacrosse #north_carolina_women_lacrosse #madison_taylor #jenny_levy
UNC basketball’s ‘No. 1 stat’ has powered Tar Heels’ success CHAPEL HILL — Resiliency, a trait not tracked by college basketball teams or analytics sites, has become the defining characteristic of the 17th-ranked Tar Heels (24-6, 12-5 ACC) as they prepare for a high-stakes matchup against No. 1 Duke (28-2, 16-1) at Cameron Indoor Stadium on March 7. The team’s ability to adapt and persevere through injuries and setbacks has been central to their success this season. Senior guard Seth Trimble, who missed nine games after recovering from a broken forearm, described resiliency as the team’s most critical asset. “It’d be our No. 1 stat,” Trimble said. “Keeping our circle just us, hearing only just us and relying on just us takes us such a long way.” He emphasized how the team’s focus on unity helps them block out external noise during tough moments. “When things get hard, you want to crumble and start listening to the outside noise, but having this mindset allows us to stay focused.” Coach Hubert Davis reinforced the importance of this mentality, noting that the team’s cohesion has been vital in overcoming challenges. “This is a tight group and we have to stay together,” Davis said. “Through those days, we have to stay connected. The guys have really done that this year.” The coach highlighted how the team’s ability to regroup after losses and adjust strategies has kept them competitive. The Tar Heels’ resilience was tested early in the season when Trimble was sidelined. Despite missing nine games, UNC went 8-1 in his absence, including a crucial 67-64 win over Kentucky after a 16-point loss to Michigan State. The team faced further adversity in January, losing three of four games while allowing an average of 92 points in defensive struggles against SMU, Stanford, and Cal.#duke #unc_basketball #chapel_hill #seth_trimble #hubert_davis
