CARY, N.C. — The No. 2 seed Boston College women’s lacrosse team will compete in its seventh consecutive national title game after defeating No. 3 Syracuse, 10-7, on Friday evening at WakeMed Soccer Park.
BC sophomore goalkeeper Shea Dolce made 12 saves, junior attacker Rachel Clark recorded five goals, and junior attacker Mckenna Davis recorded four assists to lead the Eagles.
The Eagles will face the top seed and defending national champions in the Northwestern Wildcats, who advanced earlier Friday after a win over Florida. Boston College faced Northwestern in late February and fell, 14-11, thanks to five goals from reigning Tewaaraton winner and NCAA career goals leader Izzy Scane. The Wildcats await the Eagles in a rematch of last year’s national title game, set for noon on Sunday.
Advertisement
Syracuse recorded back-to-back-to-back goals in three minutes to charge back into the game. Senior midfielder Natalie Smith notched the first and sophomore attack Gracie Britton recorded the second off an assist from graduate attacker Emma Tyrrell. Then, the Orange faded away to create a lane for Emma Ward on the run, who capitalized on a rare one-on-one opportunity to cut Syracuse’s deficit to two goals at 9-7.
After draining the clock, junior attacker Rachel Clark tacked on her fifth goal of the night for BC with 30 seconds remaining off an assist from junior attacker Mckenna Davis, making the score 10-7.
After Syracuse opened the game with a goal from senior midfielder Maddy Baxter, BC took a 3-2 lead in the first period behind two goals from junior attacker Emma LoPinto — the first assisted by senior midfielder Belle Smith and the second assisted by Davis. Then, with five minutes remaining in the first period, Clark added a solo goal.
After three more goals for BC to start the second period, the Orange began to battle back with a goal and then an assist from Smith. The Eagles continued to fire away — recording three shots in the final minute and a half of the second period — but failed to score, entering halftime with a 6-4 lead. The Eagles are 16-0 this season when they lead at halftime.
Advertisement
Despite what the score might indicate, the Orange commanded possession. Syracuse, led by graduate draw-control specialist Kate Mashewske, dominated draw controls, 8-3, in the first half. This was a point of emphasis identified by BC head coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein entering Friday and a weak point of the Eagles’ game in the first half.
Senior attacker Kayla Martello broke the Eagles’ scoring drought five minutes into the third period, recording a free-position goal on an overhead twister shot. Just a minute later, Clark extended BC’s lead to 8-4 off an assist from Davis.
With a little over a minute remaining in the third period, play paused as Syracuse head coach Kayla Treanor and the rest of her staff protested an illegal substitution. A series of calls from the officials created an unusual seven-on-four advantage for Boston College as three Orange players were placed in the box. Notably, the NCAA Tournament rules does not allow for replay.
After a hard-fought defensive effort for Syracuse, BC capitalized on a free-position opportunity and Clark earned her fourth goal of the night — exploding off the eight-meter mark to put the Eagles up 9-4 entering the final period.
Advertisement