Boston College Athletics
Eagles Take on No. 2 Northwestern
May 12, 2011 | Lacrosse
May 12, 2011
Chestnut Hill, MA- In their first NCAA appearance, the Boston College women's lacrosse team will face off against No. 2 Northwestern on Saturday at Lakeside Field at 4:00 p.m. (ET). The Eagles have had a tremendous season thus far, highlighted by the NCAA selection and they hope to extend their season after Saturday.
"This is an incredible accomplishment for our current team, for all those who have come before and all those who will follow. I am particularly proud of what our five seniors have done to get us here," said head coach Bowen Holden. "They began as freshman and struggled through a losing season and some tough times to bring us national recognition and a place in the NCAA tournament. However, I also know the seniors and the entire team are not satisfied with simply being selected."
Senior goaltender, Sheila Serafino echoed her coach's sentiments, "It's been a pretty wild ride, but I wouldn't change any of it," Serafino said. "The fact that I can go out as a senior saying that my team made the NCAAs is special and it's pretty cool that we're the `first team.' What's really great is that we just laid new groundwork for the program."
It has been a season of firsts for the Eagles; making their first NCAA appearance, advancing to the second round of the ACC tournament for the first time, tying the program record for wins while reaching their highest national ranking (No.9) and many other individual accomplishments.
One of five ACC teams in the 16-team field, the Eagles are up against a formidable opponent in Northwestern. The Wildcats, coming out of the American Lacrosse Conference, is 17-2 and has been ranked in the top five all year. Northwestern won the National Championship five consecutive times from 2005-2009, falling to Maryland last season in the title game. In addition to the past championships, the Wildcats are fresh off their seventh straight ALC championship. Although BC faced Northwestern in 1992, in which the Eagles won, 8-1, this will be the first meeting between the teams since Northwestern regained varsity status in 2002.
Despite Northweastern's national pedigree, Holden is excited for the challenge. "The Wildcats have achieved incredible success in the last several years, and we have a lot of respect for who they are and what they have done," said Holden. "At the same time, we are confident in the direction we are heading and look forward to an exciting match-up this weekend."
If playing in the NCAA tournament for the first time isn't exciting enough, two Eagles, senior Hannah Alley and junior Ginny Gummersall will be playing in front of their home crowd.
"Making the NCAA tournament for the first time in program history is such an amazing accomplishment," said Alley, a Lake Forest, Ill. native. "Heading home to play makes it even more special and memorable. I've watched my sisters play huge games on Northwestern's field for many years growing up, and now it's finally my chance to play at home."
Gummersall, a resident of Wilmette, says growing up on Lake Michigan's North Shore is where she fell in love with lacrosse and is thankful for the opportunity to play in front of many friends, family and former coaches. "It is truly incredible to have reached our team goal of earning a bid to the NCAA tournament, and to have it happen literally in my own backyard is an indescribable feeling," she added.
The Eagles will look to get strong offensive performances from senior Kristin Igoe, the team's leading goal scorer (42), junior Brittany Wilton and sophomore Brooke Blue. On the defensive end, BC is anchored by sophomore Jessie Coffield and seniors Jill Rekart and Sheila Serafino in net.
A BC win over Northwestern will see the Eagles face either Dartmouth or seven-seeded Albany in the quarterfinals.
Saturday’s game can be seen online, streaming on NUSports.com
