CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Seven different members of the Lafayette men's lacrosse team found the back of the net on Saturday afternoon, but No. 8/9 North Carolina proved to be too tough an opponent in a 24-8 defeat for the Leopards in Chapel Hill, N.C.
 
The Maroon and White hung with one of the top teams in the country for the majority of the first half, trailing by just five at the break, 11-6. But runs of 3-0 and 11-0 in the third and fourth quarters broke it open for Lafayette's third loss of the 2020 campaign, keeping the Tar Heels undefeated at 3-0 this season.
 
Sophomore Andrew Robbins was the Leopards' lone multi-goal scorer with a pair as Lafayette boasted balanced scoring. Evan Lotz, Macklin Fitzpatrick, Cole Dutton, Bryan Hess, John Natoli and Brian Collins all recorded a scoring tally, while Collins added a pair of assists for a team-high three points.
 
Freshman James Turco was effective at the X for Lafayette, winning 15 of the game's 36 faceoffs, and picking up four ground balls, tied for the team-lead with Sean Rushton and Tommy McGee. Dutton, Beaudan Szuluk and JP Robinson all added a caused turnover on the defensive side.
 
Between the pipes, sophomore Ryan Ness made 13 saves in his 54:02 of action, picking up the loss, his third of the year. Freshman Will Moran made his collegiate debut in the final 5:58, allowing one goal and picking up his first career save.
 
The Tar Heels led in shots, 58-31, and ground balls, 51-24. The Leopards went 1-for-3 on their extra-man opportunities, while the home side converted on four of its five chances.
 
Lafayette heads the other direction for its next contest on Saturday, traveling to Vestal, New York for a meeting with Binghamton at 12 p.m.