Paul scores four for Navy in upset

From combined dispatches

DIVISION I MEN

NAVY 8, NO. 4 NORTH CAROLINA 7

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Sophomore attackman Tim Paul scored four goals as the Midshipmen upset the Tar Heels last night at Fetzer Field in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Paul led Navy (10-5) in shots and goals this season and did so again against North Carolina, racking up 13 shots against North Carolina (8-6) goalie Grant Zimmerman.

The Midshipmen led for all but 4:21, handing the Tar Heels just their third home NCAA tournament loss.

Paul opened the game with back-to-back goals — the only two of the first period. Bart Wagner cut Navy’s lead in half early in the second, but the Midshipmen maintained their lead into halftime.

North Carolina’s Gavin Petracca (three goals) tied the game 4-4 just 34 seconds into the third quarter, but three goals gave Navy the lead it would not relinquish.

The last of those goals was an empty-netter by Terence Higgins (his first of the year), scored when North Carolina was trying to clear the ball. That was an issue all night for the Tar Heels, who had 12 failed clears on 26 attempts.

When North Carolina did get the ball into its offensive zone, Navy’s stout defense was even better given the performance of goalkeeper Tommy Phelan. Phelan, making his first start since April 19, made 12 saves to get the victory — his first since holding Maryland to four goals April 5.

Nick Mirabito, Gregory Clement and Zack Schroeder also scored a goal each for the Midshipmen, who will play the winner of today’s game between Johns Hopkins and Hofstra on Saturday in Annapolis.

No. 1 Duke 12, Loyola 7

DURHAM, N.C. — Duke’s Matt Danowski became the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer with a two-goal, five-assist performance as the Blue Devils beat the Greyhounds in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Koskinen Stadium.

The Blue Devils (17-1) matched the NCAA single-season record for wins previously set by Duke twice (2005 and 2007), Hofstra (2006) and Virginia (2006). Danowski eclipsed the NCAA career scoring record of 343 points set by Air Force’s Joe Vasta.

“It’s an unbelievable thing; I really can’t wrap my head around it now and I still don’t picture myself when I think of the all-time leading scorers yet,” Matt Danowski said. “It’s really just a tribute to the guys I play with. From the goalies to the defense to the middies to the attackmen, they all have a part in that and I hope they take a share of it.

Loyola’s Collin Finnerty, a former Duke player, had a team-high three goals, and drew a loud ovation from the Duke crowd each time the scores were announced over the loudspeaker. Afterward, a group of Duke players organized a photo shoot to include their former teammate.

“They’re great guys, all of them,” Finnerty said. “They’ve been the most supportive people the last two years, and there’s nothing but good vibes between us.”

Ohio State 15, No. 8 Cornell 7

ITHACA, N.Y. — Midfielder Peet Poillon scored three goals as the Buckeyes (11-5) beat the Big Red (11-4) for their first ever tournament victory in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Schoellkopf Field.

DIVISION III WOMEN

Catholic 17, Rowan 15

SALISBURY, MD. — Kate Robinson scored five goals, including three in a 31-second span in the first half, as the Cardinals (16-4) advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division III tournament with a win over the Profs (13-5).

Catholic will take on Salisbury (20-0) today at Salisbury.