Syracuse women's lacrosse falls in ACC tournament final to Boston College 15-8

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — #3 Boston College (16-3) scored the last five goals of the contest and successfully defended its ACC Tournament Championship by defeating #4 Syracuse (14-5), 15-8, at Charlotte, N.C.

The Eagles received a six-goal effort from Kayla Martello and defeated the Orange for the sixth straight time. Syracuse was led by Emma Ward, who finished with two goals and one assist.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

After the teams entered the intermission tied at 7-7, Boston College controlled the second half, accumulating eight of nine goals over the final two quarters. Two third-period goals by Martello, sandwiched around a tally from Belle Smith, had the Eagles in front, 10-7, heading into the final quarter.

Ward slowed the Boston College momentum with a goal from the middle of the eight meter, her 38th of the season. It stopped a 22-minute stretch without a marker for the Orange, and narrowed the deficit to 10-8. The Eagles answered three minutes later with the first of back-to-back goals from Martello, her 57th and 58th of the year. Boston College found the net four more times over the final nine minutes of play to secure the triumph.

Syracuse started fast out of the gate, scoring five of the first six goals in the contest.

Natalie Smith started the opening run, tallying her 39th just 13 seconds into the contest. After Boston College's McKenna Davis countered, the Orange rattled off four straight. Olivia Adamson scored two in the stretch, first on a one-on-one move and then off a slick pass from Savannah Sweitzer. Sweitzer also scored and Ward found the net on a free position to provide the Orange a 5-1 advantage with 4:14 left in the first quarter.

The Eagles answered with four consecutive goals over the next eight minutes to knot things up, 5-5. Four different performers got on the board -- Rachel Clark from a free position, Emma LaPinto and Davis in transition, and Martello.

The two combatants split the remaining four goals of the half. Emma Tyrell ended a Syracuse scoreless streak of 10:46 with a shovel shot, followed by Gracie Britton's fourth goal of the campaign. The Eagles earned tallies from Martello, during a woman-up situation at 1:45, and Emma LaPinto with 30 seconds left in the second quarter.

OF NOTE:

Kate Mashewske moved into fifth place on the NCAA Division I draw controls career leader list. She finished the outing with 528..

Syracuse outshot the Eagles in the first half, 24-13.

The Orange had a 18-9 edge in draw controls.

Boston College's Shea Dolce finished with 10 saves while Delaney Sweitzer had six stops for the Orange.

Boston College won the regular-season matchup between the two rivals 10 days ago, 11-10 in overtime at Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Syracuse won eight-of-nine ACC regular-season pairings to earn the top seed in the conference tournament.

ALL-ACC TOURNAMENT TEAM

Syracuse had three players chosen to the All-ACC Tournament team: Katie Goodale, Kate Mashewske and Ward. Boston College earned five spots, including tournament MVP Sydney Sacles. Other Eagles recognized were Rachel Clark, Shea Dolce, Belle Smith and Cassidy Weeks. Olivia Dooley and Jackie Wolak represented Notre Dame and Virginia had Kate Galica and Morgan Schwab on the team.

UP NEXT: Syracuse will learn about the next step of its postseason itinerary when the NCAA announces its tournament bracket on Sunday, May 5. The selection show is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. on ESPNU.