Having dropped her stick following a goal, as required, BC’s Sam Apuzzo (2) turns to celebrate with teammate Kenzie Kent (4). BC Athletics photo.

BC’s lacrosse team defeated Princeton, 17-12, today on the Newton Campus Fields to advance to the Final Four of the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Tournament. It will be the third consecutive appearance by the Eagles in the tournament semifinals. Indeed, BC has played in each of the last two championship games, losing both. 

The Eagles will play North Carolina Friday, May 24, in Baltimore, Md., in the semifinals. The Tarheels are the only team to have beaten BC (21-1) this season, defeating the Eagles, 15-13, in the ACC Championship game on April 28.

The Eagles held a 7-6 lead over Princeton at the end of the first half. The Tigers tied the game at 7 early in the second half, but BC scored 5 straight goals to open a 12-7 lead. The teams then exchanged goals, but Princeton was unable to get closer than 4, with the final score a 5-goal margin.

BC’s Sam Apuzzo, last year’s winner of the Tewaaraton Award as the nation’s top collegiate women’s lacrosse player, led the Eagles today with 4 goals, but Kenzie Kent, MVP of the 2017 national championship tournament, had 8 points total, including 6 assists. The number of assists tied Kent’s own tournament record, set against Colorado in the previous round.

San Diego Eagles had hoped to hold a game watch of the national championship game if BC won Friday, but the game time makes it implausible. The national championship game is scheduled for Sunday, May 26, at 9 am Pacific Time, and will be telecast on ESPNU.