Prove-It Week for Several Teams in Women’s Lacrosse Week 8

Wednesday sure was wacky, wasn’t it?

We call these “Weekend Previews” — aptly titled, as it kicks off your women’s lacrosse weekend viewing — but in reality, the big games this week started on Hump Day.

Florida and Penn played an afternoon thriller that ended with the Gators celebrating in overtime. Army hosted Stanford and earned its highest-ranked win ever – a shocker if there ever was one. Then Loyola capped the evening of raucous games by extending its Patriot League winning streak to 88 games (although it needed double overtime and incredible perseverance to down rival Navy).

What could possibly be next? Lucky for you, it’s a prove-it week for teams we have a lot of thoughts about. Can North Carolina prove its youth is ready for the big time? Which team, Princeton or Yale, is ready to separate itself as the true Ivy League favorite? Can Syracuse keep grinding through its gauntlet of a schedule and beat Virginia, further diminishing early season concerns about the Orange?

Questions abound. Answers are on tap (hopefully).

PICK FIVE

NO. 2 NORTH CAROLINA AT NO. 3 NORTHWESTERN 
8 P.M. EASTERN THURSDAY | WATCH: BTN

North Carolina storyline to watch: The Tar Heels have been awesome. Forgive the lack of journalistic neutrality. They’ve just been fun to watch. But this is the biggest game for Jenny Levy’s bunch so far against a team that’s made consecutive NCAA championship games and is hungry to reassert itself atop the nation. Northwestern isn’t as invincible as years past, but the Wildcats might win the experience battle.

Northwestern storyline to watch: North Carolina’s schedule hasn’t been a cakewalk, but Northwestern has already tested itself against Boston College, and the gap was just four in a 13-9 loss. Like UNC, there’s a prove-it element to Northwestern’s gameplan. Win, and there’s no question that Northwestern has the chops to truly compete for another NCAA title. Lose, and the gap could widen (even slightly) between Nos. 1 and 2 and the rest of the field.

NO. 11 PRINCETON AT NO. 10 YALE  
12 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY | ESPN+

Princeton storyline to watch: This offense is a sight to behold. Only Madison Taylor (5.22) averages more goals per game than McKenzie Blake (4.88), and the Tigers’ scoring offense ranks third nationally at 16.88 goals per game. Haven Dora is tied for third nationally with 3.62 assists per game, and Jami MacDonald does a little (a lot) of everything with 23 goals and 16 assists. Pick your poison with Princeton, which will need its weapons to execute against a stout Yale defense.

Yale storyline to watch: Very few teams are immune to losing. But Yale has lost two straight and relinquished its No. 4 national ranking. You can easily write off going on the road and losing by a goal to Stanford. The Brown loss? That’s less understandable, even given the Ivy League’s depth. The Bulldogs need to get back on track, and there’s no better way than to beat the conference rival breathing down their necks. 

NO. 9 VIRGINIA AT NO. 4 SYRACUSE  
12 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY | ACCNX

Virginia storyline to watch: Jenna DiNardo made good on the early promise she showed to Sonia LaMonica when the new Virginia coach first stepped foot on campus in the fall of 2023. DiNardo and the rest of Virginia’s Super Sophomores need to show up in a big way for a physical game against Syracuse. If you’re into narratives, DiNardo is from nearby Corning, N.Y., and grew up a massive Kayla Treanor fan. Will she show out with her idol on the opposite end of the sideline?

Syracuse storyline to watch: It’s difficult to pin down Syracuse’s identity. The Orange offense is good, not great, at 13.45 goals per game. The defense has had its moments but has largely been inconsistent, exemplified by an uncharacteristic 11.45 goals against average. But what Syracuse does well is grind games out and adapt to its opponent. We should start calling the 2025 Orange the Chameleons. 

HARVARD AT BROWN  
1 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY | ESPN+

Harvard storyline to watch: Harvard took Notre Dame to the brink and even handed Navy a loss – so the Crimson are anything but pushovers. Just like Princeton and Yale are fighting for the title of “Ivy League favorite, April 1 edition,” Harvard and Brown are among a smattering of teams fighting to lead the way in the next tier. And that is not in any way intended to be a slight. That next tier is pretty darn good. Brown did beat Yale, after all.

Brown storyline to watch: And speaking of Brown beating Yale, let’s look at what the Bears did well in that 14-11 victory. They made three more saves than Yale, so that helps, but Brown was able to significantly limit the contributions of Fallon Vaughn (two goals) and Jenna Collignon (two goals). Harvard’s offense is deep with a top-notch quarterback in Caroline Mullahy (two assists). Limiting cutting lanes or completely disrupting her ability to feed will force Harvard to do things differently.

OHIO STATE AT RUTGERS 
1 P.M. EASTERN SUNDAY | BTN+ 

Ohio State storyline to watch: We knew USC’s addition to the Big Ten would make the conference even more competitive. What we failed to realize was that Ohio State’s progression would add yet another layer of competitiveness. Ohio State’s rock is its defense, anchored by goalie Jocelyn Torres, who is first nationally in save percentage (.567). She’s not doing it alone, with Katie Kaucheck, Lilli Sherman, Audrey Schoemer and Ella Wright locking things up on the defensive end. Now comes a Rutgers team that is scrappy. Good teams build a sound resume with wins like these. The Buckeyes could lose momentum with a loss.

Rutgers storyline to watch: The clock is sticking for Rutgers, barring a Big Ten tournament run. A win over Stony Brook is carrying its at-large hopes, though even that doesn’t carry as much weight as it would in years past. The Scarlet Knights have six games, all in the Big Ten, left. A win here would significantly boost their postseason odds. And if there’s any offense that might crack Ohio State’s defense, it’s Rutgers and its eight players with at least 11 goals (and nine with at least 12 points).

DIVISION II FLORIDA BASH

NO. 1 TAMPA AT NO. 7 EMBRY-RIDDLE  
4 P.M. EASTERN SATURDAY | WATCH: SSC DIGITAL NETWORK

Three days after downing No. 2 Florida Southern, the top-ranked Spartans face another stiff test at No. 7 Embry-Riddle. Such is life this year in the gauntlet known as the Sunshine State Conference. Nevertheless, the defending champion Spartans seem laser focused on another title run this spring and already own five top-10 wins in 2025. First-year coach Christina Nikolai has ERAU flying high, with an overtime loss to No. 5 Lynn late last month as the only blemish. The Eagles have won five straight since that setback but are 0-6 all-time against Tampa.