FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — With three-time Tewaaraton winner Taylor Cummings gone, Maryland certainly had its doubters as to whether it could continue the dynasty at College Park. With a loaded attack, the Terps blew through the regular season and into Sunday’s national championship game against Boston College without a loss.
It was at the same point that the Terps were shocked by North Carolina last year. Coach Cathy Reese and her team made sure there was no such upset at Gillette Stadium.
Aided by an NCAA final record six goals from Caroline Steele, Maryland’s offense outpaced Boston College and star Kenzie Kent — who tied a women’s final record with 10 points (5g, 5a) — to win its third national championship in four years with a 16-13 victory over the Eagles.
MARYLAND WINS THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP! @MarylandWLax w/16 goals (Steele 6G) to win title for 3rd time in 4 years. pic.twitter.com/FfItOphF8b
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) May 28, 2017
Maryland’s offense came out humming, with goals from Kali Hartshorn and Taylor Hensh coming off draw controls from Hartshorn. The Terps won eight of 11 draw controls in the first half.
Sam Apuzzo got the Eagles on the board less than three minutes later, scoring two straight goals to tie the game at 2 less than 10 minutes in. However, Steele earned her hat trick in a matter of just over five minutes to put Maryland back in front, this time at 5-2.
It looked like the Terps had control of the game, but the Eagles bounced right back. Kent, Kate Weeks and Laura Frankenfield each tallied a goal in a three-goal run that tied the game at 5-5 with 10 minutes left.
Maryland suffered from some uncharacteristic turnovers that gave Boston College chances to take the lead as the half ended, but the score remained tied at the break. Despite being outshot 21-12 and losing the draw control battle, Boston College was efficient on its shots and kept pace with Maryland.
Whatever Maryland coach Cathy Reese said at halftime worked, as the Terps stormed out of the break to the tune of five straight goals to seize a 10-5 lead. Steele and Jen Giles both had two goals during the run that helped give Maryland some breathing room.
Then Kent took over and put the Eagles on her back. She had a point on Boston College’s next five goals — a span that saw it score five of six goals to pull within one goal with 14 minutes remaining.
Kent had three goals and two assists during the run.
But Maryland’s offense just kept coming, scoring five of the next six goals to pull away from Boston College late. Four different players scored during the run, including Steele, who tied the record with her sixth goal.
Sam Apuzzo had the next two goals for Boston College, but it was too late for the Eagles to mount a comeback. The Terps shot 73 percent in the second half to drop 11 goals and prevent a Boston College rally.
In defeat, media named Kent the Most Outstanding Player. She scored 10 goals on 14 shots and added six assists and four draw controls in the semifinals and final.
The full all-tournament team:
Julia Collins, Navy, A
Kelly Larkin, Navy, A
Maggie Gallagher, Penn State, M
Katie O’Donnell, Penn State, M
Sam Apuzzo, Boston College, M
Kenzie Kent, Boston College, M
Katie Weeks, Boston College, A
Jen Giles, Maryland, M
Kali Hartshorn, Maryland, M
Caroline Steele, Maryland, A
Zoe Stukenberg, Maryland, M
Most Outstanding Player: Kenzie Kent, Boston College, M