Boston College Stumbles Late as Notre Dame Rallies for Statement Win in ACC Opener
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - For three quarters, Boston College looked like the top-three team they were billed to be. But in the final 15 minutes, it was Notre Dame who flipped the script.
In a high-stakes ACC opener at Fish Field House, No. 16 Notre Dame stunned No. 3 Boston College with a furious fourth-quarter surge, handing the Eagles a 12-9 loss - their second straight to open the season.
Let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a case of a lower-ranked team catching lightning in a bottle. Notre Dame earned this one with a dominant final frame, outscoring BC 6-0 in the fourth quarter and shutting down an offense that had been humming for much of the night.
A Hot Start and a Midgame Surge
Boston College actually weathered an early storm. The Fighting Irish came out firing, grabbing a 3-1 lead in the first five minutes.
But the Eagles responded with poise. Molly Driscoll sparked a 3-0 run that flipped the momentum, and by the end of the first quarter, BC had clawed ahead 4-3.
The second quarter saw more of the same. Driscoll struck again, and Hanna Davis connected with Marissa White on a slick behind-the-back finish that brought the crowd to its feet.
White’s goal capped a 5-0 Boston College run and pushed the lead to 6-3. Even after Notre Dame halted the surge, Giulia Colarusso answered right back, giving the Eagles a 7-4 cushion heading into halftime.
Holding the Line - Until They Couldn't
Third quarter? Still advantage Eagles.
The teams traded goals, but BC maintained control. When Brooke McLoy found the net late in the third, it was 9-6 Boston College, and the Eagles looked like they were in position to close out a quality win at home.
But the fourth quarter told a different story.
Notre Dame flipped the switch and took over. The Irish scored six unanswered goals, turning a three-goal deficit into a three-goal win. The go-ahead goal came with just over 10 minutes remaining, and BC simply couldn’t find a response.
Bright Spots in a Tough Loss
Despite the loss, there were individual performances worth highlighting for Boston College. Marissa White led the way with her first hat trick of the season, tying for the game-high with three goals.
Driscoll added two of her own, and Davis had a career-best outing with a goal, two assists, and a team-high three ground balls. Kelly Blake chipped in with two assists as well.
In the cage, Shea Dolce was a difference-maker for much of the night. She posted a season-high 14 saves with a strong .538 save percentage, keeping the Eagles in control for most of the game. Shea Baker also stood out on the draw, leading the team with six draw controls and contributing on the defensive end with a ground ball and a caused turnover.
What’s Next
With the loss, Boston College drops to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in ACC play - not the start anyone in Chestnut Hill envisioned for a team with championship aspirations. But the season is young, and the Eagles will have a chance to regroup quickly.
They’ll head south for a matchup against Michigan at the Atlanta Lacrosse Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 21. Expect a hungry, motivated BC squad looking to get back on track and remind everyone why they’re still one of the most dangerous teams in the country.
For now, though, credit goes to Notre Dame. The Irish didn’t just pull off an upset - they made a statement.