The NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Tournament is nearing to the end as we are headed to the Semifinals. The final four advances to the Semis held this Friday after a very intense Quarterfinal battle. Who went home and who’s left?
Penn vs. Northwestern:
With the help of Maddy Taylor’s 6 goals and her second straight 10+ point game, the Wildcats remain victorious as they defeat No.12 Penn 17-12. Their win propels their record to 18-2 and leads them to their sixth straight Final Four. The Tewaaraton Award Finalist, Maddy Taylor, broke 2 records during the Quarterfinals as she now holds the record for most goals scored in a season (105) and most points in a season (146).
Duke vs. Florida:
For the third time in program history and their second consecutive year, the Florida Gators make it to the Final Four for the Semifinals. The Gators defeated the No.15 Blue Devils this past Thursday in a close 11-9 game. Florida held a 7-0 lead run in the second half and did not trail behind for the entirety of the game.
Yale vs. Boston College:
In their eighth consecutive Semifinal appearance, Boston College moves forward as they defeat No. 7 Yale in the Quarterfinals in an 18-11 win. The Eagles trailed 6-5 in the first half until Emma LoPinto pushed the team to a 10-6 lead after scoring five straight goals. After a 9-0 run, BC was able to pull away as they moved forward with a 16th straight win when hosting the NCAA Tournament.
Princeton vs. North Carolina:
The No. 1 ranked North Carolina defeated No. 8 Princeton in the Quarters to secure their 14th appearance in the Semifinals this Friday. UNC remains the only undefeated team this season as their streak improves to 20-0 after their 19-10 win last Thursday. Ashley Humphrey broke the NCAA record that night for career assists as she finished the game with 250.
Semfinal Predictions
North Carolina (No. 1) vs. Florida (No. 4)
North Carolina enters the semifinals with an unblemished 18-0 record, showcasing dominance throughout the season. The Tar Heels boast a formidable offense led by the Humphrey sisters—Chloe and Ashley. Chloe, a redshirt freshman, has tallied 73 goals, while Ashley is nearing the NCAA’s all-time assists record. Their synergy has been pivotal in UNC's success.
Florida, the No. 4 seed, has demonstrated resilience, edging out Stanford in a double-overtime thriller and defeating Duke to secure their semifinal berth. The Gators' balanced attack and staunch defense will be tested against UNC's high-powered offense.
Prediction: North Carolina's depth and offensive prowess give them the edge. Expect the Tar Heels to advance to the championship game.
Boston College (No. 2) vs. Northwestern (No. 3)
Boston College, the defending national champions, have shown consistency, with standout performances from Rachel Clark, who leads the nation with 91 goals, and goalkeeper Shea Dolce, boasting a 55.7% save percentage.
Northwestern, the 2023 champions, have been formidable, with Madison Taylor spearheading the offense. Their recent victory over Penn in the quarterfinals underscores their championship pedigree.
Prediction: This matchup is poised to be a nail-biter. However, Boston College's experience and current form may propel them to a narrow victory, setting up a rematch with North Carolina.