CHAPEL HILL, N.C. –The Clemson Lacrosse team saw its season come to a close on Sunday, as top-ranked North Carolina knocked off the Tigers, 18-9, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Clemson’s 2025 season ends with a 14-7 record, while the Tarheels improve to 19-0 and advance to the quarterfinals.

Katie Castiello led the Tigers with four goals and one assist, while Bridget Babcock had three goals and an assist. Castiello recorded a career-high with four goals and five points.

North Carolina jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the game’s first 5:00, before Lindsey Marshall netted her 60th goal of the year to cut the lead in half. UNC netted back-to-back goals to push the lead to 4-1 with just over a minute remaining in the period, before Katie Castiello cut the lead in half again with 21 seconds to go. North Carolina was able to net a last-second goal to give the Tar Heels a 5-2 lead at the end of the first period.

The Tar Heels continued their scoring run to open the second quarter, scoring three-straight goals. Bridget Babcock ended the run with her 15th goal of the year to cut the lead to 8-5, before North Carolina scored their final goal of the half with 3:41 to go. Clemson ended the first half on a scoring run of their own, however, as Castiello and Babcock scored back-to-back goals to cut the lead to 9-5 at halftime. 

North Carolina scored back-to-back goals to start the third period to push the lead to 11-5, before Lexi Edmonds netted her 41st goal of the season to make it an 11-6 advantage. Emily Lamparter doubled her save number in the game with four in the third period, but the Tar Heels ended the period with back-to-back goals, however, to take a 13-6 lead into the game’s final 15:00.   

The Tar Heels were able to net five goals in the fourth to put the game out of reach, as Clemson’s three fourth quarter goals were not enough, giving UNC the 18-9 victory.

–story and photo courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications