Lacrosse Faces No. 11 UVA in ACC Showdown

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Boston College women's lacrosse heads to Charlottesville for a 4 p.m. showdown against No. 11 UVA on ACC Network.

About the Eagles
Last Time Out
The Eagles won their fourth straight game with a 16-4 victory over Clemson. Rachel Clark was one of three Eagles with a hat trick, scoring a game-high five goals with one assist for six points. Kayla Martello tied a season high with five points thanks to three goals and two helpers. Belle Smith registered three goals, one assist, four points, and four draw controls. Emma LoPinto scored twice to round out the leaders in goals. Seven different Eagles tallied a goal. Cassidy Weeks led the team with six DCs, while Ryan Smith added three draw controls with a score.

A Win Would
- Give BC a 13-2 mark overall and 7-1 record in ACC play.
- Give BC an undefeated regular season on the road.
- Give BC an eighth straight win against Virginia.

Walker-Weinstein Selected as USA Lacrosse National Team Head Coach
USA Lacrosse has announced that Boston College women's lacrosse head coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein has been selected as the U.S. Women's National Team head coach. A two-time U.S. gold medalist, Walker-Weinstein's appointment will run through the 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship in Japan.Walker-Weinsten helped bring home a pair of gold medals in 1999 at the U19 world championship and in 2009 on the women's senior team. "Acacia brings a positive energy into every situation and has used that enthusiasm to take the Boston College program to new heights," said USA Lacrosse CEO Marc Riccio. "From being the youngest player on our 1999 U19 team, to being one of the final cuts from our 2005 senior team to winning gold in 2009, she's had a long history with our national team program that will help her connect with the players."Walker-Weinstein knows the goal is to win a gold medal, but she also wants to make an impact on the sport with the way the U.S. team plays under her leadership, building on the success of the coaches who have come before her."I want it to be exciting to watch," Walker-Weinstein said. "I want the players to feel liberated and free to play with their own personal brand. I want the lacrosse to be exciting to watch. I want it to be difficult for the opponents to stop. I want it to be a product that makes the fans say, 'That is the way women's lacrosse should be played.'"

Dolce Named ACC Defensive Player of the Week
The sophomore goalie was named ACC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in the past three weeks. In the two wins, she posted a .577 save percentage, 15 saves, and a 6.20 goals-against average. Aiding in handing Yale its first loss of the season, Dolce made seven saves and a .467 save percentage. She followed up her performance with eight stops against the Tigers in 46 minutes. During the four-game win streak, the goalie has a .600 save percentage and 39 saves while facing 94 shots. Dolce is first in the ACC in both save percentage (.484) and goals against average (8.0).

By the Numbers
1 - BC is the only team in the country to rank in the top five in both offensive efficiency (2nd - 42.1) and defensive efficiency (5th - 22.2)
3 - Mckenna Davis is third all-time in program history with 120 assists.
7 - B. Smith has seven points over the past two games (6 over the previous four).
14 - Martello has a combined 14 points through the last three meetings against Virginia.
92 - Sydney Scales has 92 caused turnovers for her career.

Down the stretch
With two games left in the regular season, the Eagles can claim a share of the ACC regular-season championship and the top seed in the ACC Tournament if they win out. BC faces UVA tomorrow before rounding out the slate with Syracuse at home next Thursday.

Balanced Offense
The Eagles have showcased a balance offense this season as five players have 25 goals and six with at least 10. Clark has led the attack with 54 goals, while Martello (43), LoPinto (37), B. Smith (27), and Weeks (27) round out the leaders. BC has yet to lose when scoring at least 15 goals this season.

Scouting Virginia (11-3, 4-3 ACC)
- The 11th-ranked Cavaliers are 11-3 and 4-3 in the ACC after defeating Louisville on the road, 13-8.
- Mackenzie Hoeg led the way with four goals in the win, while Jenna Dinardo registered four points (3 G, 1 A)
- Morgan Schwab leads the team with 64 points thanks to 16 goals and 48 assists.
- Carnevale's 40 goals leads the team, while she has 51 points thanks to 11 helpers.
- Mel Josephson has started in 14 games, boasting a 9.64 goals against average and a .469 save percentage.

Series History
The Eagles are 10-13 against UVA but have won the past eight meetings, including last season's 25-13 triumph in Alumni Stadium. Boston College has scored at least 20 goals in four of the last five meetings including the previous three.

What's Next
BC closes out the regular season next Thursday against Syracuse at 5 p.m. in Alumni Stadium on ESPNU.

Lacrosse Faces No. 11 UVA in ACC Showdown

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Players Mentioned

Rachel Clark

Mckenna Davis

Emma LoPinto

Kayla Martello

Sydney Scales

Belle Smith

Ryan Smith

Cassidy Weeks