#1 Northwestern, winners of 20 straight after a one-goal opening-season loss to Syracuse, dominated Boston College today in an 18-6 victory to take the NCAA women’s lacrosse title.

The Eagles never led in the game. After three Wildcat goals in the first quarter, BC cut the lead to 3-2 and that was the closest they got. Northwestern led 6-2 at halftime and then exploded to a six-goal lead in the third quarter and entered the final quarter leading 11-4.

In the tournament, BC used the fourth quarter either to catch up to teams or pull ahead for victories. Not to be today. Northwestern finished strong, outscoring the Eagles 7-2 in the final period. (Need to mention, though, that the final Wildcat goal as the horn sounded to end the game seemed more than a little tacky. They had an 11-goal lead!)

Kayla Martello scored three goals in the game, with Belle Smith adding two, and Jenn Medjid one.

The Eagles ended the season with a 19-4 record. This was their sixth consecutive championship game (the 2020 season was canceled because of Covid) and their fifth loss. BC won the national championship in 2021. Go Eagles!