To put a twist on an old Rick Flair quote, “To be the best, you have to beat the best.” #11 Denver women’s lacrosse (6-0) will have that opportunity tomorrow, Wednesday, at Peter Barton Stadium at 4:00 pm in what is certain to be a chilly and possibly snowy reception for the #1 Boston College Golden Eagles (6-0). Head Coach Liza Kelly and her teams have been knocking on the door as a true national contender but Wednesday’s match is the ultimate test – can they be the best?
***GAME MOVED TO 1:00 PM DUE TO WEATHER***
It’s not going to be easy against the deep and talented Golden Eagles whose talent comes at opponents in waves.
We stay at No. 1 in the national rankings this week! 😤#ForBoston🦅 pic.twitter.com/CJLrkiIwtq
— BC Women's Lacrosse (@BCwlax) March 7, 2022
The Pioneers will have to hold Preseason All-American and one of the best to ever play the sport Charlotte North in check. North is coming off one of the greatest seasons ever in college lacrosse, breaking the men’s and women’s NCAA record with 102 goals, while also adding 174 draw controls. Last season, North took home player of the year honors from Inside Lacrosse, USA Lacrosse Magazine and the IWLCA. She was also named the Mary Garber ACC Female Athlete of the Year and won BC’s second Tewaaraton Award. The Dallas native had one of the greatest NCAA Tournament runs in history, scoring a record 31 goals in five games, while also tying the NCAA Title Game record of six goals.
Six other players on the Golden Eagles were also named by Inside Lacrosse list. Belle Smith, Hollie Schleicher and Courtney Taylor made the second team while Sydney Scalesas landed on the third team. Jenn Medjiid and Hunter Roman were honorable mentions.
The Golden Eagles are scoring 19.6 goals per game and allowing just 9 goals per game. North already has 30 goals and 6 assists for BU this season. Denver is scoring 12.8 goals per match. Bea Behrins leads Denver with 19 goals and 6 assists. Denver also has an outstanding freshman, second on the team in scoring, in Lauren Black with 15 goals and 3 assists. DU’s stingy defense is only allowing 5.8 goals per game behind netminder Emelia Bohi. The game looks to be a classic clash between a high octane offense and an aggressive Denver defense.
Bring on BC!
Wear White on Wednesday as we welcome a reigning national champion and current No. 1 to Peter Barton Stadium for the first time in program history.#GoPios #PioneerTogether pic.twitter.com/vStAhBmGS6
— Denver Women’s Lacrosse (@DU_WLAX) March 7, 2022
This match is absolutely worth braving the elements and leaving work early to see if Denver can win their biggest regular-season victory in program history…though why in the world they scheduled this incredible matchup with national implications at 4pm on a Wednesday is another discussion entirely.
***GAME MOVED TO 1:00 PM DUE TO WEATHER***
Photo: Courtesy of BC Athletics (Charlotte North) and Denver Athletics (Emelia Bohi)
Amazing that BC is coming to Denver – credit Liza and her staff for getting this game on the home schedule!
North is amazing indeed for BC — She is the best athlete in ANY college sport to play DU this year. BC has already whipped a number of ranked teams, including #4 Northwestern by 11 goals.
There seems to be a huge gap between top 1-5 programs (where BC is now) and top 10-15 programs (where DU is now). Almost every time DU plays a top 5-ranked team, its usually about a 10-goal beatdown for the top team over the Pios (just check the NCAA results for the Pios to see what I mean).
BC beat #13 Virginia 22-15 in Charlottesville in mid February, so a 7-goal margin over Denver is probably the best outcome I could ever hope for the Pios against the Eagles. An upset would be beyond comprehension.