BALTIMORE — Boston College’s 12-10 loss to Maryland in the NCAA championship game Sunday at Homewood Field was doubly painful for the Eagles.

Not only did it mark their third straight loss in the title game, but also it felt like the end of an era — an anticlimactic conclusion to the college careers of seniors Sam Apuzzo and Dempsey Arsenault and graduate student Kenzie Kent.

“I don’t want to leave here without a win,” Arsenault said, “but it’s pretty cool to get here three times in a row.”

BC’s big three wanted so badly to add a national crown to their legacy. They scored nine of their team’s 10 goals, but it wasn’t enough to push past a Maryland team that peaked perfectly over the weekend. And while the pain of that loss is fresh, their legacy is secure.

“I think throughout this whole year, our alumni, fans, coaches, our teammates, have constantly reminded us what we’ve done for this program,” Apuzzo said. “That’s been a huge motivating factor for this year. That job has already been done.”

Sustaining it is the next step for Boston College. The Eagles will graduate their top three scorers. Cara Urbank and Sheila Rietano are the only players back from their top six scorers, but Boston College feels confident that it can build on the transformation that took off over the last four years.

“Boston College wasn’t a lacrosse school four years ago, and now it is,” BC coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein said. “And now because of them, lots of little girls want to come play at BC. A lot of the top players in the world want to come play at BC. So because of what they build, the legacy will live on.”

They have built up the program and expectations. Kent started in 2015, but when Apuzzo and Arsenault were freshmen in 2016, the Eagles went 10-9. They have gone 61-11 since, including back-to-back 22-2 seasons.

“It’s so fun to coach them,” Walker-Weinstein said. “It’s so fun to even be a spectator of the three of their athleticism and teamwork. I think it’s three of the best players of all time. It’s been fun watching them grow together and learn about each other and make each other better. They really are the most impactful players we’ve had. They’ve gotten each other better and the program better. They have a legacy that will last way beyond this afternoon.”

It’s been growing throughout the careers of Apuzzo, Arsenault and Kent. They got the ball rolling, and now it’s up to the Eagles to continue what they have.

“Thousands and thousands are at our games,” Walker-Weinstein said. “We’ve created a brand with the neon [green shirts]. People all over country are supporting the team. Recruiting is fun, and we can be a little more selective.”

All three were on the NCAA All-Tournament team, and there is still the Tewaaraton Award dinner for Arsenault and reigning winner Apuzzo. They’d trade any award for a national title, but they can take solace in knowing they made the idea of Boston College competing for one a reality.

“It’s awesome for what the girls get to feel for the rest of their life that they built something and changed a program, a school, a region, just because of what they’ve done,” Walker-Weinstein said.