Duke Wins, UNC Loses In NCAA LAX Tournament

TURRI (Corey Lowenstein)

Redshirt senior midfielder Justin Turri had three goals and two assists while junior goalkeeper Dan Wigrizer posted 12 saves as third-seeded Duke defeated visiting Syracuse, 12-9, in NCAA Men's Lacrosse Tournament action on Saturday afternoon in front of 3,672 fans at Koskinen Stadium.

While improving to 14-4 on the season, the Blue Devils advance next Sunday's quarterfinal round to meet the winner of Massachusetts-Colgate at PPL Park in Chester, Pa. Duke has won 17 of its last 22 NCAA Tournament games dating back to 2005 and today picked up the program's first postseason victory over Syracuse in four tries.

"The NCAA tournament filled with tough teams," Danowski said. "I thought that we had a great week of preparation. It's Syracuse. It's very hard to say that this is a different team. It's not. They are talented, athletic with a great coaching staff and a tremendous tradition. They are who we want to be one day. With all their championships and what they've accomplished in our sport. I thought their kids played hard. They played for 60 minutes. It was a hell of a Division I lacrosse game."

Meanwhile down in Chapel Hill, led by Mark Matthews and Jeremy Noble, 2011 NCAA Tournament semifinalist Denver began another run for a Final Four bid, outlasting eighth-seeded North Carolina 16-14 Saturday night before 1,344 fans at Fetzer Field. The Pioneers improved to 9-6 on the season while the Tar Heels' season ends at 11-6.

DANOWSKI (Corey Lowenstein)

After trailing by four goals early, the Tar Heels rallied to lead by two goals at the half but a 5-0 scoring run by Denver in the third and fourth quarters proved to the be difference as it was able to stave off one last gasp effort by UNC which almost produced a tying goal.

Denver was dominant in the face-off circle as the Pioneers produced 15 extra offensive possessions behind the work of Chase Carraro who went 22 of 30 and had a Fetzer Field facility record 17 ground balls in the game. He was backed by brilliant offensive performances by Mark Matthews who matched his career high with five goals and by Jeremy Noble who had three goals and seven assists for a career high 10 points. We Berg has three ground balls and two assists for Denver.

 To read more click here for Duke and here for North Carolina.

Virginia takes on Princeton and Maryland plays Lehigh today.