logo
NCAA championship weekend at Gillette Stadium takes BC women's lacrosse back to where it all began

NCAA championship weekend at Gillette Stadium takes BC women's lacrosse back to where it all began

Boston Globe22-05-2025

'We had no business being there,' Walker-Weinstein said. 'But even back then, there was not a moment that was too big for our girls.'
Advertisement
That weekend at Gillette Stadium eight years ago set in motion the current era of BC lacrosse, one that includes two national titles — including last season — and eight consecutive trips to the Final Four, seven of which have ended in the championship game.
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
In this 2017 photo, BC goalie Lauren Daly jumps to hug teammates Brooke Troy and Carly Bell after they defeated Navy in the NCAA semifinal.
Elise Amendola
The second-seeded Eagles will return to Foxborough on Friday (5:30 p.m., ESPNU) to face Northwestern in the national semifinals with a chance to become the first team since Maryland in 2014 and '15 to go back to back.
But just like in 2017, Walker-Weinstein doesn't feel like she's under pressure. She's excited, proud of what her team has done already.
She feels hungry for more.
'It's not about repeating,' Walker-Weinstein said. 'It's about winning this year. The only time we talk about repeating is when we try to put something in front of the girls as a challenge to accomplish something they haven't done yet.'
Advertisement
Since defying expectations in the 2017 tournament, BC has become a national powerhouse, a producer of two Tewaaraton Award winners, and a yearly favorite to win it all. Be that as it may, Walker-Weinstein and her team are approaching the weekend as though they are the underdogs.
Related
:
The Eagles lost twice this year, both times to top-seeded North Carolina: once during the regular season and once in the final of the ACC tournament. The losses exposed their cracks, Walker-Weinstein said, and encouraged her players to realize that they're not untouchable.
She expects people outside the program will count her team out.
'I like that position,' she said. 'I know my girls will respond to that.'
BC beat Northwestern, 13-9, in the teams' only meeting this year, in February, but Walker-Weinstein started her film study for the rematch with a blank slate. She doesn't want her team to use past success against the Wildcats as an indicator of future performance.
'Northwestern is better now than they were back in February,' Walker-Weinstein said. 'We just know we have to be better, too.'
The Eagles' semifinal matchup is a repeat of last year's title game, when Northwestern surged to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter, before BC mounted a furious comeback to win, 14-13.
'A comeback like that against such a great team is proof that those things are possible,' Walker-Weinstein said. 'It's also proof that no lead is safe.'
The Eagles will have to contend with Northwestern junior Madison Taylor, who scored three goals in that February game and leads the nation in goals (105) and points (146). Limiting Taylor and controlling the pace of the game will be crucial for the Eagles.
Advertisement
BC will counter with senior attack Rachel Clark, whose 103 goals this season trail only Taylor. Clark, Taylor, and BC goalkeeper Shea Dolce, along with the North Carolina sister duo of Ashley and Chloe Humphrey, are the finalists for the Tewaaraton Award, awarded to the top player in the nation.
On the other side of the bracket, No. 4 Florida will face North Carolina on Friday at 3 p.m. on ESPNU. The winners will face off for the title on Sunday at noon on ESPN. The Tar Heels will be a favorite to return to the national title game, carrying a 20-0 record into the weekend. They beat the Gators, 14-9, when the teams met in February.
Andrea Reynolds (left) and McKenna Davis celebrate with Belle Smith (right) during the NCAA championship game in 2024.
Steven Worthy
Emma Healy can be reached at

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mike Krzyzewski Sends Strong Message After Duke Basketball Announcement
Mike Krzyzewski Sends Strong Message After Duke Basketball Announcement

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Mike Krzyzewski Sends Strong Message After Duke Basketball Announcement

Mike Krzyzewski Sends Strong Message After Duke Basketball Announcement originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Duke Blue Devils continue to be known as one of the top teams in college basketball, despite coaching changes. Advertisement Mike Krzyzewski served as the head coach of the college basketball program before Jon Scheyer took over three years ago. While Scheyer has since led Duke to the Elite Eight and Final Four, Krzyzewski created an unmatched legacy with the Blue Devils. Krzyzewski was also surrounded by one of the best staffs in the country, featuring Executive Director of Sports Performance William Stephens. Stephens played a large role in the strength and conditioning department for Duke, helping Krzyzewski prepare his team for multiple title runs. After the most recent college basketball season, Stephens officially retired from Duke. Advertisement Krzyzewski sent a message to Stephens after Duke posted the announcement, seemingly supporting his decision and thanking him for the success he helped bring to the Blue Devils. "Will, congratulations on an amazing career," Krzyzewski said. "Thank you for sharing that career with my career. You've made my career a [expletive] of a lot better and by the way you've made every young man that's been in our program under your tutelage better. Not just in strength and athlete ability, they became better people." Aside from being an incredible asset as the Executive Director of Sports Performance, Krzyzewski also explained that Will Stephens was a great man outside of the white lines. "As good as you do with all the strength and conditioning, to me, the most important thing about you is you're a good man," Krzyzewski said. "You're a good man and the guys, when they're in your presence, they become better… I love you and respect you and I'm so glad that God's been good to me. We've been able to become such close friends." Advertisement View the original article to see embedded media. Will Stephens spent 27 seasons at Duke. According to the Blue Devils' most recent announcement on his retirement, Stephens helped bring three national titles and four Final Four appearances, working alongside Mike Krzyzewski and Jon Scheyer. Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike KrzyzewskiRobert Deutsch-Imagn Images Mike Krzyzewski served as the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils from 1980 to 2022. During his time at Duke, Krzyzewski led the Blue Devils to five national titles, 13 Final Four appearances, 14 ACC regular season titles and 15 ACC Tournament titles. Related: Mike Krzyzewski Names Best Player in Duke Basketball History Without Hesitation Related: Duke Blue Devils Suffer Major Coaching Loss on Saturday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

How Georgia Teammates Continue To Reach New Heights With Eagles
How Georgia Teammates Continue To Reach New Heights With Eagles

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

How Georgia Teammates Continue To Reach New Heights With Eagles

How Georgia Teammates Continue To Reach New Heights With Eagles originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman had a plan to rebuild his once-struggling defense. Instead of signing top-priced free agent talent, he chose to target defensive players from one of the greatest football schools in the country. … Advertisement The two-time National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. In the last five seasons, Philadelphia has taken Georgia players in almost every draft. Top guys like Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, Kelee Ringo, Nakobe Dean, and Smael Mondon Jr. have all been brought here to build the kind of championship mentality they developed in college. After their first Super Bowl together in February, those same Bulldogs are looking for further excellence as well. And the clearest example came from Jordan Davis during voluntary workouts. The former first-round defensive tackle explained how he was learning how to be a better pass rusher thanks to teammate Nolan Smith. Advertisement '(Nolan) Smith has been teaching me things. When it's just stuff like that, learning stuff from different players and coaches, they want you to be your best at pass rush," Davis said. "They want you. They expect that from you." Smith, in his own right, has spoken out about how important players like Davis and Carter have been to his own production. It is clear that the former Bulldogs are all looking out for each other. That has helped the Eagles reach new heights on defense. And the entire group seems to be ready to achieve a new level as defending Super Bowl champions as well. Related: Eagles Predicted To Have Two 'Sleeper' MVP Candidates Related: Eagles Players Throw Their Support Behind Coach Vic Fangio This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

A New Era Begins as Georgia Tech Names New Baseball Head Coach
A New Era Begins as Georgia Tech Names New Baseball Head Coach

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

A New Era Begins as Georgia Tech Names New Baseball Head Coach

A New Era Begins as Georgia Tech Names New Baseball Head Coach originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The future of Georgia Tech baseball just got a power boost. James Ramsey, long considered the architect behind Georgia Tech's high-powered offenses, has officially been named the 13th head coach in program history, and the buzz around The Flats is unmistakable. For Yellow Jackets fans, this moment is more than just a coaching change. It's the beginning of a new era fueled by firepower, recruiting dominance and a relentless drive to win. Advertisement Ramsey has been at the core of Georgia Tech's offensive explosion since joining the staff in 2019. Under his direction as hitting coach and later as associate head coach, the Jackets led the ACC in batting average (.308), OPS (.918), hits (3,961), and doubles (796) over a seven-season span. That level of production didn't go unnoticed. 'We are very excited to name James Ramsey the 13th head coach in the illustrious history of Georgia Tech baseball,' said interim athletic director Jon Palumbo. 'He is the absolute right person to continue to build on the legacy of success established by Danny Hall.' Hall's legacy casts a long shadow, as he stepped down in 2025 as the ninth-winningest coach in NCAA Division I history. But Ramsey isn't here to replicate the past. He's here to elevate it. Tech's 2025 season, Ramsey's final as associate head coach, saw the Jackets win their first ACC regular-season title in 14 years. The team led the nation in doubles (149) and ranked top five among Power Four programs in slugging percentage (.540) and runs per game (8.4). Advertisement But it's not just about stats. Ramsey's recruiting pedigree is elite. The Jackets' 2024 class ranked No. 2 nationally, Tech's highest ever. He's produced All-Americans, Golden Spikes Award semifinalists and back-to-back ACC Freshmen of the Year. Ramsey, a former first-round MLB Draft pick and Florida State All-American, brings both professional pedigree and academic excellence. His energy is contagious. His vision is clear. 'This is the opportunity of a lifetime,' Ramsey said. 'We have one of the richest traditions in all of college baseball and one of the brightest futures. I can't wait to get to work.' Georgia Tech fans, it's time to rally. Ramsey isn't just leading the next generation, he's building it. Advertisement Related: Georgia Tech makes major announcement amid athletic momentum Related: Georgia Tech Football Faces Crossroads Season With New AD Coming This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store