In its tightest contest of the season, No. 1 Syracuse (7-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast) lost on the road to division foe No. 5 North Carolina (7-2, 2-1), 3-2, in double overtime on Friday evening. The Orange’s first loss since last year’s ACC championship game came in a rematch of that game and of last year’s national title game.

North Carolina’s Malin Evert scored the game-winner, her first goal of the season, on a hard shot past SU goalie Regan Spencer’s left.

While Syracuse was never playing catch-up — the Orange took a 1-0 and 2-1 lead — the offense struggled to separate itself from the Tar Heels. SU took 10 shots, its fewest of the season, significantly less than UNC’s 25, a season-high in shots allowed.

Entering the game, the Orange had surrendered just 54 shots. UNC almost topped half that in one game.

Forward Jennifer Bleakney notched her second goal in as many games for the Orange, now tied for second on the team with five goals. Serra Degnan also added a goal in the loss, her second of the year.

Spencer put up another strong performance in net, saving 12 shots. Her previous season-high was five.

Syracuse will look to bounce back from its first loss of the season on Sunday when it returns to J.S. Coyne Stadium to take on Pennsylvania at 1 p.m.