Having lost nine seniors to graduation — including three of its top four scorers — questions regarding the North Carolina men's lacrosse team's youth surrounded the Tar Heels entering this season.
But despite winning its first two games handily, UNC's inexperience showed in Saturday's 10-5 loss to Hofstra at Fetzer Field.
Junior Stephen Kelly won the opening faceoff, but he and the Tar Heels (2-1) didn't strike first. After UNC turned the ball over on its opening possession, Hofstra's Josh Byrne opened the scoring on an unassisted backhand goal.
The Tar Heels answered with a goal by sophomore attackman Chris Cloutier, but the Pride (1-0) scored back-to-back goals to take a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period.