Syracuse women’s lacrosse vs. Boston College national championship preview

Welcome to the last day of lacrosse season, Syracuse fans!

For the first time since 2014, the Syracuse Orange women’s lacrosse team has made it to the national championship game, and, in their third all-time appearance, are looking for their first national title in program history.

After a commanding 21-13 win over Northwestern in the semifinals on Friday, the 3-seeded Orange are back in action against the 4-seeded Boston College Eagles today at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN U.

So put your cookouts and beach trips on hold, because the forecast calls for cold temperatures, rain and one incredible lacrosse game with everything on the line.

Series History

Syracuse holds a 17-7 lead over Boston College in a series that dates back to SU’s inaugural season of 1998.

As we all know, this the fourth game between the Orange and Eagles this season, who played their first three within a nine day span of each other in late April.

The Orange lost the first, 14-13, on a late BC goal in the same game that they lost Megan Carney for the season. They came back two days later and made a statement in a 16-7 win.

Less than a week later, the Orange prevailed in a thrilling 19-17 game in the ACC tournament semifinals.

What’s in store for the fourth tango between these two? I think we’re in for quite the show.

Scouting Boston College

After four games, I think we all know the deal at this point, right?

Boston College is one of the best teams with one of the most high-powered offenses in the country.

Charlotte North (96G, 12A), who in my opinion is the best women’s lacrosse player in the country, is four goals away from the record for goals scored in one season (100). She and her incredible skill set are complemented by a very strong supporting cast headed by 70-point scorers Cara Urbank (37G, 42A) and Jenn Medjid (59G, 17A). Freshman midfielder Belle Smith (45G, 16A) does great work on both ends of the field, and Caitlynn Mossman (20G, 33A) rounds out the quintet of 50-point scorers for the BC offense.

In the first three games, the SU coaching staff decided to largely face-guard North with senior defender Grace Fahey. The results were very interesting, as North had two huge games where she combined for 11 goals and 13 points. However, in the middle game, she was completely shut out with 0 points.

I would expect them to continue with the face-guard strategy since they did it in all three games so far, but you never know in the exceedingly-rare chess match of a fourth meeting between two teams.

Goalies making the difference

There will rightfully be a lot of focus on the two high-octane offenses in this title matchup, but the game also features two goalies coming off excellent semifinal performances.

To absolutely no Orange fan’s surprise, Asa Goldstock stepped up big in her first Final Four game on Friday, making 10 saves to help slow down the highest-scoring offense in the country.

But she wasn’t the only goalie making plays in the semis.

Boston College’s Rachel Hall had a phenomenal game against North Carolina, making 11 saves while only surrendering 10 goals. Most of her saves were spectacular and from in-close as she turned away chance after chance for the Tar Heels to close the gap.

Without question, she was the difference maker for the Eagles in their being the team to finally take down No. 1, undefeated North Carolina.

The Orange shooters are going to need to be smart and precise to beat Hall in this game.

In this matchup featuring a lineup of some of the best offensive players in the country, the goalie that makes more big stops might just determine the team that hoists the trophy.

We’re down to the final 60 minutes of the college lacrosse season with the first national championship in program history up for grabs for the winner.

So stay in, stay warm, stay pumped to watch what’s sure to be an incredible lacrosse game, and Let’s Go Orange!!!