Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, February 6
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
4 p.m. CT
Northwestern
at
#3 Boston College
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
No. 2 Northwestern Readies for Final Four Rematch at No. 3 Boston College
2/5/2026 1:19:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Northwestern lacrosse will open its 2026 season at No. 3 Boston College on Friday, Feb. 6 inside Fish Field House. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT on ACCNX.
This marks the second time these two programs have faced off in a season-opener. The Wildcats, who have made three straight national championship appearances, return the NCAA's current active points leader in senior attacker Madison Taylor (344 points).
Last season, Taylor shattered the NCAA single season goals record, netting 109 goals and amassing a program record 158 points as she helped guide Northwestern's deep postseason run. Under Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, the Wildcats are 21-3 in season-openers.
This will be Northwestern's fourth consecutive season-opener against a ranked opponent and third-such top five ranked foe in that span. The Eagles are the program's highest ranked matchup in a season-opener since the Wildcats took on No. 1 Boston College on Feb. 12, 2022, an 18-9 setback.
A total of 13 newcomers have joined the Northwestern roster ahead of the 2026 season, with nine first-years and four incoming transfers lining up for the Wildcats. The influx of transfer talent, which includes Maddie Epke, Olivia Adamson, Jenika Cuocco and Annabel Child, was ranked the No. 1 transfer portal class by Inside Lacrosse.
Five 'Cats were named USA Lacrosse Preseason All-Americans in January, with Taylor and Epke earning first team nods while Adamson, Cuocco and Child were honorable mention selections.
The Northwestern roster features 941 total career points, the most among all NCAA Division I Teams. The Wildcats return a first team all-conference honoree and a unanimous selection for the 2025 Big Ten Attacker of the Year in Taylor. Last season, Amonte Hiller won her third consecutive and fifth all-time Big Ten Coach of the Year award. Defender Mary Carroll will look to build on a breakout rookie season where she earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, starting all 22 games in 2025.
SCOUTING BOSTON COLLEGE
Led by former Wildcat assistant Acacia Walker-Weinstein (2005-2008), the Eagles enter the 2026 campaign ranked No. 3 in the national polls.
Last season, Boston College boasted the NCAA's No. 3 scoring offense (17.05 goals per game) and No. 2 scoring defense (7.73 goals per game).
Boston College will sport a new-look attack in 2026 after graduating its top four scorers from the 2025 season. Molly Driscoll, the program's points leader among returners, tallied 54 points last season. UNC transfer attacker Marissa White will look to inject a steady scoring presence to the BC attack.
The Eagles boast a stout defensive unit, spearheaded by senior goalkeeper Shea Dolce, who led the nation in saves (202) and save percentage (.55) in 2025. Dolce and defender Shea Baker were both named USA Lacrosse First Team Preseason All-Americans. Lydia Colasante (third team), White (honorable mention), Casey Colbert (honorable mention), Abbey Herod (honorable mention) and Devon Russell (honorable mention) were among Boston College's seven preseason All-America selections by USA Lacrosse.
SERIES STUFF
Friday will mark the 10th all-time matchup between the two programs, with Northwestern holding a 5-4 record in the series. The teams most recently faced off in the NCAA semifinal on May 23, 2025, when the Wildcats scored six unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to stun the Eagles 11-6 and advance to the national title game.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to Evanston for its home opener against Colorado in Ryan Fieldhouse on Monday, Feb. 9. The matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on B1G+.
This marks the second time these two programs have faced off in a season-opener. The Wildcats, who have made three straight national championship appearances, return the NCAA's current active points leader in senior attacker Madison Taylor (344 points).
Last season, Taylor shattered the NCAA single season goals record, netting 109 goals and amassing a program record 158 points as she helped guide Northwestern's deep postseason run. Under Combe Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kelly Amonte Hiller, the Wildcats are 21-3 in season-openers.
This will be Northwestern's fourth consecutive season-opener against a ranked opponent and third-such top five ranked foe in that span. The Eagles are the program's highest ranked matchup in a season-opener since the Wildcats took on No. 1 Boston College on Feb. 12, 2022, an 18-9 setback.
A total of 13 newcomers have joined the Northwestern roster ahead of the 2026 season, with nine first-years and four incoming transfers lining up for the Wildcats. The influx of transfer talent, which includes Maddie Epke, Olivia Adamson, Jenika Cuocco and Annabel Child, was ranked the No. 1 transfer portal class by Inside Lacrosse.
Five 'Cats were named USA Lacrosse Preseason All-Americans in January, with Taylor and Epke earning first team nods while Adamson, Cuocco and Child were honorable mention selections.
The Northwestern roster features 941 total career points, the most among all NCAA Division I Teams. The Wildcats return a first team all-conference honoree and a unanimous selection for the 2025 Big Ten Attacker of the Year in Taylor. Last season, Amonte Hiller won her third consecutive and fifth all-time Big Ten Coach of the Year award. Defender Mary Carroll will look to build on a breakout rookie season where she earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, starting all 22 games in 2025.
SCOUTING BOSTON COLLEGE
Led by former Wildcat assistant Acacia Walker-Weinstein (2005-2008), the Eagles enter the 2026 campaign ranked No. 3 in the national polls.
Last season, Boston College boasted the NCAA's No. 3 scoring offense (17.05 goals per game) and No. 2 scoring defense (7.73 goals per game).
Boston College will sport a new-look attack in 2026 after graduating its top four scorers from the 2025 season. Molly Driscoll, the program's points leader among returners, tallied 54 points last season. UNC transfer attacker Marissa White will look to inject a steady scoring presence to the BC attack.
The Eagles boast a stout defensive unit, spearheaded by senior goalkeeper Shea Dolce, who led the nation in saves (202) and save percentage (.55) in 2025. Dolce and defender Shea Baker were both named USA Lacrosse First Team Preseason All-Americans. Lydia Colasante (third team), White (honorable mention), Casey Colbert (honorable mention), Abbey Herod (honorable mention) and Devon Russell (honorable mention) were among Boston College's seven preseason All-America selections by USA Lacrosse.
SERIES STUFF
Friday will mark the 10th all-time matchup between the two programs, with Northwestern holding a 5-4 record in the series. The teams most recently faced off in the NCAA semifinal on May 23, 2025, when the Wildcats scored six unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to stun the Eagles 11-6 and advance to the national title game.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to Evanston for its home opener against Colorado in Ryan Fieldhouse on Monday, Feb. 9. The matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on B1G+.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's LacrosseLacrosse - 'Cats Fall to North Carolina in National Championship Game
Sunday, May 25
Lacrosse - NCAA Semifinal Postgame Press Conference (5/23/25)
Saturday, May 24
Lacrosse - Comeback 'Cats Take Down Boston College, 12-11, Advance to National Title Game (5/23/25)
Saturday, May 24
Lacrosse - Maddy Taylor Breaks NCAA Goals Record in Quarterfinal Win (5/15/25)
Thursday, May 15
