Boston College vs. Northwestern: A Heavyweight Clash Opens the 2026 Women’s Lacrosse Season
It’s only fitting that the 2026 college lacrosse season kicks off with a matchup that feels less like an opener and more like a Memorial Day Weekend rematch. No.
3 Boston College and No. 2 Northwestern-two programs that have become synonymous with late May lacrosse-will square off Friday afternoon in a game loaded with storylines, stakes, and star power.
This isn’t just any opener. It’s a rematch of last year’s Final Four thriller, a one-goal heartbreaker that ended Boston College’s run just short of another national championship game appearance. And now, that same Northwestern team walks into BC’s house-Fish Field House-for a season-opening showdown that feels like a continuation, not a beginning.
A New Chapter, Same Standard
For Boston College, the 2026 season marks a bit of a shift. For the first time in nearly a decade, the Eagles enter the spring not as defending national finalists, but as a team looking to bounce back from a semifinal exit. That might sound like a minor dip, but for a program that’s made the national title game in six of the last eight seasons, it’s unfamiliar territory.
Still, don’t mistake change for decline. Head coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein has built something rare at BC-a culture of consistency and excellence that’s survived roster turnover, coaching carousel rumors, and the ever-evolving landscape of women’s lacrosse.
“I think to have the success [of BC lacrosse] really speaks to the culture that trickles down year-to-year,” Walker-Weinstein said after last year’s Final Four loss. “I give my coaching staff so much credit… it allows for consistency when we're coaching, [and] the girls know exactly what they are going to get.”
That culture has been the backbone of BC’s rise from an upstart program to a national powerhouse. A decade ago, the Eagles were fighting for respect in the ACC. Now, they’re a two-time national champion with a fanbase that’s outgrown their original campus venue and a team that trains in the same facilities as the football program.
New Faces, Same Expectations
The 2026 roster looks different, no doubt. Gone are offensive cornerstones Rachel Clark and Mckenna Davis, who rewrote the program’s record books in goals and assists. Emma LoPinto, another dynamic scorer, has swapped her lacrosse stick for a basketball uniform after exhausting her eligibility.
But as is often the case with elite programs, the next wave is already here.
BC brought in a trio of transfers from nationally competitive programs, and they’re not just filling gaps-they’re raising the ceiling. Chief among them is redshirt junior attacker Marissa White, who arrives from North Carolina with 95 career goals across 43 games, including 49 goals and 56 points during the Tar Heels’ national title run last year. She was the No. 2 overall recruit in her high school class, and now she’s got multiple years of eligibility to make her mark in Chestnut Hill.
There’s also a seven-player freshman class headlined by three five-star recruits. It’s a group with sky-high potential, but also a few unknowns that will need to be ironed out as the season progresses.
On the defensive end, BC looks as solid as ever. Goalie Shea Dolce and defender Shea Baker both earned Preseason All-American honors, anchoring a unit that should give the Eagles a strong foundation early in the season. Lydia Colasante adds depth and versatility-she’s the kind of player who could be a top option on just about any other team in the country.
Northwestern: The Measuring Stick
Then there’s Northwestern-the team that ended BC’s season last spring and comes into this year ranked No. 2 in the nation. The Wildcats are no strangers to the big stage, and their presence in this season opener raises the stakes immediately.
This game isn’t just about revenge or redemption. It’s about setting a tone. It’s about seeing how quickly BC’s new pieces can click, how well the defense holds up against one of the country’s most potent offenses, and how much of last year’s heartbreak has turned into motivation.
Walker-Weinstein believes her team is ready.
“I’m so very proud of our team and all of the leaders,” she said last May. “The [younger players] got experience on such a big stage that we can take that into [2026].”
That experience will be tested right out of the gate. And if there’s any doubt about whether BC can reload and contend again, Friday’s opener will provide an early answer.
Opening Whistle
No. 3 Boston College hosts No.
2 Northwestern on Friday, February 6, inside Fish Field House in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. While the game is closed to the public, fans can catch all the action on ACC Network Extra via the ESPN app.
It’s only February, but with these two programs, it already feels like May.