With less than two minutes left in its game against top-ranked North Carolina, the Terrapin women’s lacrosse team tried desperately to hold off the Tar Heels’ final run.

Junior goalie Allie Buote and the Terps’ defense would not allow North Carolina to tie the game. Buote made two of her 13 saves in those final two minutes to sustain the 8-6 upset win over the No. 1 Tar Heels.

“The end of the game was awesome,” said junior midfielder Dana Dobbie, who had two goals and an assist. “Those saves were the key to the game.”

Coach Cathy Reese also praised her team’s defense in the big win.

“For us defensively we put our best foot forward, and Allie made some great saves there at the end,” Reese said. “[The defense] was huge because their offense is very well-rounded and balanced.”

The Terps’ defense started the game poorly as it gave up two goals within nine seconds of each other four minutes into the first half. But the offense made up for the slow start by scoring three straight times as freshman Caitlyn McFadden and juniors Casey Magor and Kelly Kasper each netted goals.

“We played consistently from one end of the field to the other,” Reese said. “From this point forward we need to be this consistent on both sides of the ball to keep succeeding.”

After North Carolina tied the game, McFadden scored her second goal to give the Terps a one-goal lead heading into halftime.

“She’s outstanding,” Reese said. “Even though she’s a freshman, you don’t see it on the field because she’s so poised and has so much composure.”

The Terps added two goals from Dobbie in the second half, as well as goals from seniors Katie Doolittle and Krista Pellizzi to stay one step ahead of the Tar Heels’ feverish attack.

Both teams were evenly matched in shots, 24-23 North Carolina, and ground balls, 16-15 Tar Heels. But Reese said the key difference was that the Terps finished on their scoring opportunities.

“When we did have possessions, we capitalized,” Reese said. “Within the ACC anything can happen. We’re fortunate that it went our way today.”

“Both our teams matched up well with each other,” Dobbie added. “It came down to who finished possessions. We kept them outside and that prove to be the difference.”

Contact reporter Kyle Wannen at sports@dbk.umd.edu.