Boston College is headed to the NCAA semifinals for the first time after a scintillating offensive performance in beating Southern Cal 20-14. It was the third straight 20-goal performance in the NCAA tournament for the Eagles, and came against the nation’s second ranked defense. It was the most goals ever allowed by USC in a game.
BC will meet another first-time semifinalist, Navy, a team it beat 20-11 during the regular season, in the NCAA semifinals on Friday in nearby Foxboro, Mass. Boston College head coach Acacia Walker played for Navy head coach Cindy Timchal when Timchal was the head coach at Maryland.
Boston College scored the first three goals of the game and was led by a tremendous effort from the trio of Kaileen Hart (3g, 4a), Kenzie Kent (6g, 2a) and Kate Weeks (3g, 6a) who combined for 24 points. At least one of the three players was involved in 19 of 20 of Boston College’s goals in the victory.
In addition to her nine points, Weeks had seven draw controls to help the Eagles control possession with a 23-12 advantage on draws. Her six assists was four more than her previous career-high of two.
It will be BC’s first trip to the final four, but not for one of its key players. Kent has helped the BC ice hockey team to the Frozen Four each of the last three seasons and has been remarkable since rejoining the lacrosse team following the end of hockey season this year. She played lacrosse for the first time this year on March 29 against Yale and has 61 points (29g, 32a) in just 10 games. In BC’s three NCAA tournament wins, she has 11 goals and 10 assists. Her six goals in today’s victory was a career-high.
After falling behind 9-3 late in the first half, USC kept chipping away and pulled to within 15-12 after back-to-back goals by Gabby McMahon with 15:10 left in the game, but Hart and Kent answered with consecutive goals for the Eagles and the Trojans got no closer.
Cynthia Del Core and Drew Jackson each had three goals and an assist for USC, which finished the season with an 18-4 record.
BC improved to 16-6, setting a school record for wins in a season.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 ... Final Four!! pic.twitter.com/1DNkoLEp1w
— BC Women's Lacrosse (@BCwlax) May 20, 2017