The best rivalry in women’s lacrosse delivered another classic Saturday. Once again, North Carolina solved top-ranked Maryland, earning a signature 17-16 win that proves the Tar Heels are title contenders once again.

“We like competition,” North Carolina coach Jenny Levy said. “We try to be the best we can be against teams that are great.”

The competition the Tar Heels crave lies in the foundation Levy built in 1995 during the team’s inception. She modeled the new North Carolina program after two stout mid-1990s powerhouses, Maryland and Loyola, led by Cindy Timchal and Diane Aikens, respectively.

“I respect [Maryland coach] Cathy [Reese] and before her, Cindy and Gary Gait,” Levy said. “As a young coach starting a new program, [Maryland’s culture] was something I wanted to emulate.”

Levy noted how Aikens and her Loyola team displayed a similar approach of hardworking, gritty players that coalesced together well.

“Those two programs in 1995 had a great influence on me,” Levy added. “How their coaches interacted with the players and the competitiveness they had, yet the camaraderie that existed. Maybe that’s why we compete well against [Maryland].”

North Carolina is unique in its experiences against Maryland over the past few seasons. The Terrapins have lost only five games since 2013, and four of the losses have come against the Tar Heels. Levy is quick to point out, however, that Maryland has had many moments of success, too.

“We’ve battled with them for years,” she said. “I don’t know why we match up well [with Maryland] or not. We’ve lost to them a lot, too.”

PHOTO BY PEYTON WILLIAMS

The younger Tar Heels have bounced back from a season-opening overtime loss to James Madison to reel off three straight wins with an offensive synergy emblematic of past UNC squads.

Against Maryland, seven different Tar Heels found the scoresheet, led by freshman Jamie Ortega’s six points (four goals, two assists) and senior Marie McCool’s five points (four goals, one assist). The duo played a part in the final three goals of the game, with the first two forcing overtime, while McCool put away Ortega’s feed for the overtime winner.

“Jamie is a really talented player,” Levy said. “It did not surprise me that she stepped up, that she played the game that she played. It’s something she’s capable of, that we’re seeing in practice every day.”

The progress of players like Ortega and fellow underclassman goal scorers Emma Trenchard, Ally Mastroianni and Katie Hoeg is enhanced by the senior leadership of McCool, a member of the U.S. national team and this week’s Brine/US Lacrosse Player of the Week.

“Marie has been very instrumental in helping younger players understand the different elements of training and competition,” Levy said. “She’s been a very good leader, [demonstrating] how to work and communicate and respond to failure. She’s a big part of the direction we’re going in on and off the field."

“She’s so special that she has an opportunity to leave a legacy that will one day be in her shoes,” Levy noted of the younger players growing into McCool’s role in the future. “They’ll remember her leadership and four years later, they may do the same for other talented kids coming through.”

THE WEEK THAT WAS

Seawolves Dump Denver, Ascend to No. 1

Stony Brook dismantled Denver, 16-3, on Sunday, with 10 goals coming from the usual suspects Courtney Murphy (6) and Kylie Ohlmiller (4). The Seawolves shot 53 percent from the field and had assists on 11 of the 16 tallies. Four of those helpers were by Taryn Ohlmiller.

Cavaliers Pounce Princeton

Two key runs on either side of halftime helped Virginia (3-0) cruise by Princeton, 14-10. The Cavs used a 5-1 spurt in the first half to erase a 3-1 deficit, while a 7-1 streak in the second half broke open a tie game. Junior Avery Shoemaker had a game-high five points (4G, 1A).

Virginia Tech Tops Duke Again

For the second straight year, the Hokies defeated the 12th-ranked Duke Blue Devils. Tristan McGinley paced Virginia Tech with five goals, while Paige Petty had four markers in the 17-14 victory. Virginia Tech has won three in a row after starting the season 0-2.

Gators' Comeback over Loyola

Florida (3-0) had to overcome a late 3-0 run by Loyola with a pair of goals in the final two minutes to force overtime before Shayna Pirreca's second goal of the game sealed the win in the extra session. Lindsay Ronbeck’s five-point day (4G, 1A) led the Gator offense.

O’Donnell’s Career Day Sparks Penn State

Senior attacker Katie O’Donnell’s career-high seven-point day included six goals to guide Penn State (3-1) pastCornell, 16-11. O’Donnell was involved in three of PSU’s final four goals to stretch a one-goal lead into a five-goal difference. She is on a 26-game scoring streak.

USC Splits Midwestern Trip

The Women of Troy (2-2) scored an 11-8 Friday night win at Notre Dame before falling at Northwestern, 9-5, on Sunday. USC takes a week break before hosting No. 2 Boston College on Wednesday, March 7.

Navy Escapes Michigan

The Mids (3-0) overcame a four-goal deficit with less than 18 minutes to play at Michigan (2-3) on Sunday. A 5-1 run gave Navy its first lead of the game with 4:16 to play, but the Wolverines’ Erin Daly evened the score with three minutes remaining. Jenna Collins played the part of hero, connecting on an 8-meter shot for the 11-10 win.

Hartford Wins Program Opener over Delaware State

The Hartford Hawks are on the board. Debbie Phillips scored 31 seconds into the program’s first game and Billy McLaughlin scored seven times en route to a 20-4 win over Delaware State.

Jacksonville Gets Another Big Ten Scalp

For the second time in three games, the Dolphins (2-1) took out a Big Ten team. On Friday, it was Ohio State who fell victim to Jacksonville in a 17-16 overtime decision. Megan Prescott scored the game-winner and Ashtyn Hiron had 6 points (4g, 2a). The Buckeyes then lost to unranked Cincinnati 17-12 on Monday.

High Point Plays Another Top Team Tight

Moral victories are still losses generally, but High Point’s narrow loss, 13-11, to No. 5 James Madison gives the Panthers something to draw on. This on the heels of a four-goal loss to North Carolina a week prior.

THE WEEK TO COME

NCAA Semifinal Rematch on Tap

The two surprise semifinalists from May will reprise their matchup today at 1 p.m. in Chestnut Hill, Mass. Unlike the last game, which pitted two unseeded squads, Boston College is ranked second and Navy is 10th. Both teams are 3-0.

Howard Gets into the Fray

The final Division I women’s team to play an official game is Howard, who heads across the District to American for a 3 p.m. tilt Wednesday.

Top-Ranked Stony Brook Heads to Evanston

The Seawolves will play their first game as the No. 1 team in the country against seven-time national title winner Northwestern on Saturday. The Wildcats are 4-0 at home this season.

Gators Look to Turn the Tables

The No. 7 Florida Gators must navigate Jacksonville on Wednesday before looking ahead to a much-anticipated matchup at No. 3 North Carolina on Saturday. Goals will fly as the Tar Heels boast the seventh-rated scoring offense (16.8 goals per game) against the 11th-best offense (15.7 goals per game).

An Orange and Blue ACC Battle

No. 8 Virginia welcomes the nation’s leading offense, No. 5 Syracuse (19.7 goals per game) in a Sunday showdown. Syracuse will be without draw control specialist Morgan Widner, who suffered a torn ACL and meniscus tear in her right knee in the Orange’s win over Albany last Thursday.