University sports
Even though the Boston College lacrosse team fell behind by six goals early on, they never panicked.
The Eagles had faith they may catch up, and that's exactly what they did. BC methodically worked their way back, eventually taking the lead, after which held off a last-minute comeback from Northwestern.
Boston College won an exhilarating 14-13 victory in Cary, North Carolina, on Sunday to secure its second national championship title in 4 years.
“We've just come a long way,” BC coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein said. “I'm so proud of the girls. I'm so proud of the seniors. I asked them to lead the way all season and that's exactly what they've done.”
The Eagles, who’ve won seven consecutive title games, can now boast their second championship title.
“The losses along the way were part of that process,” Walker-Weinstein said. “I don't glorify losses by any means, but I think maybe I, our team, our players needed to toughen up a little bit to be ready for this moment. I think some of the losses did just that.”
Kayla Martello was the Eagles' best player with five goals and was named the most useful player. Andrea Reynolds, Rachel Clark, Mckenna Davis and Emma LoPinto each contributed two goals and Ryan Smith scored one goal.
Clark added 4 assists, Belle Smith three, and Shea Dolce blocked nine shots – including several crucial saves in the ultimate minutes that contributed to the victory.
“I had a bit of a blackout,” Dolce said. “Honestly, I don't remember much of it.”
When these teams met in the ultimate last yr, Northwestern won comfortably 18-6. In the rematch, the Wildcats built a 6-0 lead after one game and appeared to have one other decisive victory on their hands.
The Eagles, nevertheless, had other plans. They reduced the deficit to 6-3 and were 8-6 at halftime after a goal by Martello within the last minute.
Davis capped off a defensive third quarter with a sensational backhand buzzer beater, putting the Wildcats up 10-9 heading into the fourth quarter.
“I think it was exactly what we needed to awaken ourselves, our faith and just the energy,” Walker-Weinstein said of Davis' talk.
With the momentum on their side and the pressure on the Wildcats, the Eagles equalized with a goal from Clark to make it 11-11 after which took the lead 12-11 with 9:39 minutes left on a pass from Reynolds.
Martello increased the result in 13-11, NU's Izzy Scane narrowed the gap, then Davis scored with 4:02 left. Scane struck again with 59 seconds left, then Dolce and the defense secured an exhilarating victory.
Northwestern had the ball just before the tip and the possibility to equalize, however the Eagles put up one last fight.
“It means the world to us that we were able to experience this moment and be on the other side at the same time,” Dolce said. “I just can't describe it. It's a dream come true.”
image credit : www.boston.com