2023 Women's Top 30: How Boston College Fared vs. Projections

Before USA Lacrosse Magazine looks ahead to what’s to come in 2024, our team of staff and contributors decided it was worth taking one last look at 2023.

After all, you have to look at the most recent results before making projections for what’s to come. To do that, we’re taking a journey through the top 30 teams in men’s and women’s lacrosse — what went right, what went wrong and what we should all think of that team’s season.

Was it a success? A failure? A mixture of both? You’ll find out our thoughts over the next month or so.

BOSTON COLLEGE WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Nike/USA Lacrosse Preseason/Final Top 20 Ranking: 3/2
2023 record: 19-4 (8-1 ACC)

WHAT WENT RIGHT

After an eye-opening 16-5 loss to UNC in an NCAA title-game rematch game on March 3 and a 13-8 loss to Denver on March 19, the Eagles were 6-3. Not bad, but they didn't look like a final four team.  

But Boston College wouldn't lose again until the national championship game. The Eagles spoiled Syracuse's perfect season, rallying from behind and snagging a share of the ACC regular-season crown on the road on April 20. Boston College also beat UNC, 11-9, for the program's first ACC title. The Eagles' 8-7 win over Syracuse in the national semifinal booked their sixth-straight trip to the NCAA championship game. 

Playing without Charlotte North, the Eagles' offense remained stellar. Jenn Medjid (83 goals, 24 assists) making it to the Tewaaraton stage wasn't a shock, nor was Belle Smith (52 goals, 31 assists). But the emergence of sophomore McKenna Davis (26 goals, 62 assists) and Kayla Martello (61 goals) bodes well for the Eagles long term. Perhaps the biggest development? Shea Dolce became the team's starting goalie in mid-March and finished with a .457 save percentage. 

WHAT WENT WRONG

The early-season woes proved to be learning experiences for Boston College. The big letdown came in the NCAA final, where the Eagles lost for the fifth time in six years. But unlike previous defeats Memorial Day weekend, this game unraveled quickly. Boston College only trailed by one, 3-2, midway through the second quarter. Northwestern might as well have sent the Eagles packing after that, outscoring them 15-3 the rest of the way and ultimately getting the clock running in an 18-6 blowout.  

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

As an entire athletics department, Boston College only had one ACC tournament title — men's soccer won it in 2007. That changed this year when BC thwarted UNC's bid for a seventh-straight crown, winning 11-9. 

VERDICT

The NCAA championship game wasn't one for the program time capsule. But in a familiar refrain, Boston College came together and peaked at the right time. The loss of Medjid looms large, but so many talented players return and the Eagles have added star juniors Rachel Clark (Virginia) and Emma LoPinto (Florida) via the transfer portal. Don't be surprised to see Boston College play in a seventh straight NCAA final next season.