Behind another big day from Sam Apuzzo, Boston College added another big win to its resume Saturday, using a late six-goal run to defeat North Carolina 17-11 in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
The Eagles led early before the Tar Heels surged ahead. But Apuzzo keyed the late BC rally and finished with four goals, five assists and nine draw controls.
“I was so proud,” Eagles coach Acaica Walker said. “It was a really awesome team win. From the defense all the way up top to the offense. It was such a fun game to coach.”
FINAL: @BCwlax picks up a huge 17-11 win over @uncwlax. Sam Apuzzo with 4G, 5A, 9DC to lead the way. pic.twitter.com/5Ybr5jGHOa
— US Lacrosse Magazine (@USLacrosseMag) March 24, 2018
Boston College, ranked No. 4 in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division I Women's Top 20, defeated No. 6 North Carolina for the first time since 2015. With the Eagles coming off of their first final four appearance, the balance of power has shifted in the ACC, and in the nation.
Apuzzo tallied a free-position goal to give the Eagles a 6-5 advantage going into halftime in what had been a give-and-take from the two squads. BC originally held a 3-0 lead, but as the Tar Heels fought back, the Eagles were right there with them.
In a back-and-forth second half, the Tar Heels never got closer than within one goal. Tess Chandler eventually made it a five-goal lead for Boston College, and Emma Schurr's third goal of the day elevated that to six.
Before that, Marie McCool scored twice to make it 11-10 BC, but the Eagles finished on a 6-0 run to secure the win.
With Boston College's win over Yale earlier in the week, the Eagles broke their all-time winning streak record with 11 wins to open the season. That was extended to 12 with the victory against UNC.
“We've all been working so hard,” Walker said. “We are pushing them harder than we ever have before, and they're responding.”
The victory was a part of the Boston College’s long string of wins against impressive opponents this season. Before Saturday, it had also defeated Notre Dame, UMass, Navy, and USC — all nationally ranked — to go with road wins at San Diego State and Louisville.
Right on pace with their 17 goals-per-game average against the Tar Heels, the Eagles offense has continued to get depth throughout the lineup. Apuzzo stood out, per usual, but the rest of the lineup was strong. Kaileen Hart netted a hat trick of her own to go with four assists, while Schurr’s three-tally day was coupled with two helpers. Dempsey Aresenault picked up two goals and three assists. Lauren Daly made eight saves.
“It's their hard work and selflessness,” Walker said. “They play for each other. We're not paying attention to the streak, we're paying attention to the opponent.”
With 35 shots, the Eagles had clean shooting lanes on net throughout the day.
The Tar Heels dropped to 6-3 with the conference defeat.
Nike/US Lacrosse
Top 20 Scoreboard
No. 1 Stony Brook, UMass-Lowell 7
No. 3 Maryland 15, No. 2 James Madison 12
No. 4 Boston College 17, No. 6 North Carolina 11
No. 5 Florida 16, Georgetown 11
No. 7 Penn 16, Brown 10
No. 8 Loyola 18, Lehigh 5
No. 9 Virginia 12, Duke 8
Notre Dame 11, No. 10 Syracuse 10 (OT)
No. 11 Navy 18, Bucknell 5
Dartmouth 15, No. 16 Princeton 12
No. 19 Virginia Tech 14, Elon 12