NCAA Division I Women's Quarterfinals: Scores, Recaps, Upcoming Schedule

Six of the eight women’s Division I NCAA second-round games were decided by one or two goals. What will the remaining eight teams do for an encore?

It will be hard to top last weekend. But no doubt the quarterfinalists in NCAA Division I women’s lacrosse will try, and we’ll be here for it. Join us by gluing your eyes to ESPNU, where every game will be televised, starting at noon Thursday with James Madison and Syracuse.

Throughout Thursday, check back here and on USA Lacrosse Magazine’s social channels (@usalacrossemag) for coverage into the evening, including live updates, highlights and the epic goal celebrations.

ROUND 2 RECAP | FULL BRACKET | DIVISION I TOP 20

QUARTERFINALS SCHEDULE
THURSDAY — ALL TIMES EASTERN

*All games scheduled to broadcast on ESPNU.

12 p.m. — (2) Syracuse 13, (7) James Madison 7
2:30 p.m. — (3) Boston College 20, Notre Dame 6
5 p.m. — (5) Denver 5, (4) North Carolina 4
7:30 p.m. — (1) Northwestern 16, (8) Loyola 6

SEMIFINALS SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, MAY 26 — ALL TIMES EASTERN

Time TBD — (2) Syracuse vs. (3) Boston College
Time TBD — (5) Denver vs. (1) Northwestern

(2) SYRACUSE 13, (7) JAMES MADISON 7

READ MORE: Depth and Defense Propel Syracuse to Quarterfinal Win Over JMU

Syracuse broke away from a pesky James Madison team in the second half, though the end of the second quarter might have been the most critical juncture in the entire contest. The Orange closed the period with two goals in 24 seconds, breaking a tie at 3. They eventually built on that spurt to beat the Dukes 13-7 at the JMA Wireless Dome. 

That 5-3 lead at halftime increased to 7-3 when Maddy Baxter and Emma Ward scored the first two goals of the second half. Seventh-seeded James Madison hung around, but could not get closer than three goals after Tai Jankowski scored to make it 8-5.

Olivia Adamson was the star, accounting for four goals, two assists and nine draw controls. Megan Carney scored three goals, and Tessa Queri caused three turnovers. Delaney Sweitzer made seven saves.

Second-seeded Syracuse advances to the national semifinals on Friday, May 26, in Cary, N.C., to play the winner of Notre Dame and third-seeded Boston College.

(3) BOSTON COLLEGE 20, NOTRE DAME 6

READ MORE: Boston College Bounces Notre Dame, Extends Final Four Streak

Boston College is Final Four bound for the sixth-straight season. Fueled by five goals and three assists from Belle Smith and four goals and three assists from Jenn Medjid, the third-seeded Eagles cruised by Notre Dame 20-6 in Thursday’s NCAA quarterfinals in Newton, Mass.

Kayla Martello tallied a hat trick, and Mckenna Davis posted a goal and three helpers. The Eagles shot 20-for-33 (.606) while limiting Notre Dame to 6-for-17 (.353). The Irish entered the game sixth nationally in scoring offense, averaging 15.90 goals per game.

Mary Kelly Doherty and Jackie Wolak each tallied one goal and one assist for Notre Dame. The Irish, the lone unseeded team to advance to the quarterfinals after upsetting Florida on Sunday, ends the season 15-6.

It was the third meeting between the two teams, including the second in a postseason in a month. Boston College also bounced Notre Dame from the ACC semifinals with a 9-4 win on April 28.

BC will play another familiar foe — Syracuse — in the Final Four on Friday, May 26. The Eagles came from behind to end the Orange’s bid for a perfect season in April, claiming the top seed for the conference tournament, which they eventually won.

(5) DENVER 5, (4) NORTH CAROLINA 4

READ MORE: Denver Dethrones UNC with Defensive Performance for the Ages

Denver continued its suffocating defensive run, holding defending national champion North Carolina without a goal in the second half en route to a 5-4 win. Sam Thacker had three caused turnovers and three ground balls, as the Denver zone stymied the Tar Heels.

Denver advances to its first NCAA semifinal in program history and will play the Loyola-Northwestern winner at a time to be determined on Friday, May 26.

Kayla DeRose scored the game-winning goal with 6:33 remaining, just beating the possession clock as Denver patiently waited for its chance to score.

(1) NORTHWESTERN 16, (8) LOYOLA 6

READ MORE: Scane's 10 Points, Defense's Pressure Push Northwestern into Final Four

Northwestern led by seven at halftime then scored the first five goals of the second half, easily getting past Loyola in the last quarterfinal on Thursday. Izzy Scane had seven goals, bringing her to 89 this spring. She also had three assists. Erin Coykendall had three goals and one assist, and Elle Hansen had two goals.

Northwestern lost the draw battle 13-12, but the Wildcats made it seem as if the draw edge was significantly in their favor. They outshot Loyola 38-17, forced Loyola into 15 turnovers and dominated the ground ball battle 23-13.

A return trip to the semifinals is on tap for Northwestern, which draws Denver on Friday, May 26.