Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG - Virginia Tech lacrosse fell to No. 2 North Carolina on Thursday night at Thompson Field. The Hokies move to 7-4 (2-3 ACC) and the Tar Heels advance to 9-0 (5-0 ACC).
Lauren Render shone bright for the Hokies, tallying a hat trick in the first quarter with back-to-back goals at 5:50 and 3:44, then closing it out with the third at 0:32. Paired with her three goals was a tied career-high of two assists, bringing the point total for the midfielder to five.
Mia Pozzi collected the first two of her three goals for her hat trick. Pozzi collected the first goal of the game and scored her next two in the second and fourth quarters. The midfielder went 2-2 on free position shots and tallied three ground balls and three draw controls to compliment her hat trick.
The Hokies held tough in the first half, with three Hokies putting goals on the board to hold the Tar Heels, 6-9, heading into the second half.
In the second half, Sophia Trahan dominated the draw circle, collecting four own-controls and reaching a career-high of 10 total draws. Along with her personal-record in draw controls came one goal and one assist - a feat that gives Trahan, a freshman, at least one point in eight of the 11 games played so far this season.
Additional goal scorers for Virginia Tech were Grace New and Kate Elam, each accumulating one.
Zoe Stencil, the defender, led defense outside of the crease with two caused turnovers, while Aaliyah Jones reached her third game of the season with double-digit saves inside of the crease with 14. Six of nine games in the cage have brought Jones a ground ball.
The contest was the best showing for the Hokies this season against top 10 teams. The squad collected nine goals, three assists, seven ground balls, two caused turnovers and 14 draw controls.
UP NEXT
The Hokies return to Thompson Field on Sunday, March 23 at 11:00 a.m. to host High Point. The senior recognition ceremony will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m.