Top-ranked Northwestern defeated No. 2 North Carolina 14-11, and the difference was simple: the Wildcats won the second half. After trading blows early, Northwestern's defense clamped down when it mattered most, turning a heavyweight fight into a championship celebration.
The Tar Heels (19-2) pushed the pace all afternoon, but every time they threatened to seize momentum, Northwestern (19-3) had an answer. The Wildcats' attack found seams when space was scarce, and their backline held firm through North Carolina's late pushes.
This is a coronation years in the making for Northwestern, and a gut-punch for a Tar Heels squad that proved it belonged on this stage all season. For North Carolina, the offseason starts now — and the message is clear: come back angrier.
Data via ESPN · Summarized by D1Ball's editorial engine from official statistics.
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