Medjid, Walker-Weinstein Continued to Move Boston College Forward

CARY, N.C. — The embrace between Jenn Medjid and Acacia Walker-Weinstein was one of thanks. Medjid to Walker-Weinstein for giving her a chance. Walker-Weinstein to Medjid for ushering Boston College to yet another NCAA championship game appearance.

Fifteen minutes after the final horn sounded and Boston College’s season ended in an 18-6 defeat to Northwestern in the national title game Sunday at WakeMed Soccer Park, Medjid and her coach spoke at length about the culture, experience and legacy of the Boston College women’s lacrosse team.

“It’s been a dream come true,” said Medjid, a Tewaaraton Award finalist and Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse draft pick who scored 83 goals this season. “I’m not sure I even have the right words for it right now, but I know I’ll find them some day.”

Boston College’s sixth straight NCAA championship game appearance didn’t go as hoped for the ACC champion Eagles. Northwestern led 3-0 early, holding Boston College scoreless for the first 19:47, and when the Eagles finally did break through to cut it to 3-2, they went another 15:56 before their next goal.

The Wildcats frustrated Boston College with a smothering backer defense and forced the Eagles into six failed clears (15-for-21). A pesky ride coupled with standout draw play by Samantha Smith and Samantha White made it seem as if Boston College rarely had the ball, especially in the second half.

But with that performance fresh on Walker-Weinstein’s mind, she instead chose to reflect on the program’s growth. And indeed, the program has risen steadily under her watch. The 19-4 Eagles won 15 or more games for the eighth time in program history — all with Walker-Weinstein as head coach. They’re 6-0 all-time in NCAA semifinals and won the first ACC tournament championship for any women’s team in Boston College athletics history.

In the 21 years before Walker-Weinstein arrived in 2013, Boston College had won double-digit games four times, maxing out at 12 (2010, 2011). Only seven times did the Eagles finish above .500.

In Walker-Weinstein’s tenure, the Eagles have won at least 10 games in all 10 full seasons, excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 season. They have more wins since 2013 (173) than they did from 1992-2012 (154).

“On this team, the expectations are to win it all,” Walker-Weinstein said. “So, it’s a disappointment, but I’m also really proud. We did some things that the program’s never done before, so I think we’ve moved it forward, which is great for Boston College.”

Boston College has gone from a relative Division I afterthought to one of the most sought-after programs in the nation.

“I just want to thank Acacia because all I ever wanted to be was a BC lacrosse player, and she gave me so much more than that,” Medjid said. “I know I’ll look back and remember this and smile for the rest of my life, so I’m just very grateful.”

Medjid was the next in a line of leaders to carry Boston College to the national championship game. Sam Apuzzo, Dempsey Arsenault and Kenzie Kent were the first core group to break through, carrying the Eagles to title game appearances in 2017, 2018 and 2019. They then handed the keys to Charlotte North, the two-time Tewaaraton Award winner who brought Boston College its first-ever title in 2021 and then back to the championship game in 2022.

Medjid, a graduate student who has been a teammate of each of the aforementioned players, certainly had the right people to learn from. And that’s why Walker-Weinstein thinks her program is built for continued success.

“I think the players are hungry to be a part of a really good culture, and the leadership has gotten better throughout the years,” she said. “You can only have sustainable success with good leadership, and our seniors and fifth- and sixth-year [players] have done that.

“The people who come in, at a young age, will get on board.”

As Medjid moves on to her professional lacrosse career, the likes of Belle Smith, Kayla Martello, Sydney Scales and others will take up the mantle, if they haven’t started to do that already.

Then they’ll mentor the next crop of Boston College leaders, like freshman goalie Shea Dolce, who was a revelation for the Eagles after taking over as the starter, and sophomore Mckenna Davis, whose 62 assists ranked second nationally.

“When you zoom out and think about how much our team overachieved because of their belief and each other and their hard work … I’m so proud of our team and our players and our leadership and our ability to get here,” Walker-Weinstein said.