10/31/2023 – CHESTNUT HILL, MA
Boston College Women’s Lacrosse is a program that needs no introduction. The Eagles have been in six straight national championship appearances, dating back to 2017, and achieved glory in 2021, after Charlotte North led her team to a national championship. BC is a powerhouse, to put it lightly.
This past May, the Eagles finally achieved something that head coach Acacia Walker-Weinstein has dreamed of since taking over the head coaching position: an ACC championship. BC defeated Duke, Notre Dame, and UNC en route to the program’s first ACC championship. However, it wasn’t enough to fuel them to another NCAA championship trophy. The Northwestern Wildcats defeated the Eagles, 18-6, in the 2023 NCAA championship game. Walker-Weintsten and her squad has been in the position before. Stellar, record-breaking seasons, that led to nothing.
This off-season, BC has been avid in the transfer portal, picking up big names like Rachel Clark and Emma LoPinto. Clark, a junior transfer from the University of Virginia, finished her career at UVA with 127 goals, 24 assists, 29 ground balls and 22 draw controls. The stellar attacker was named the 2021-22 ACC Freshman of the Year. LoPinto, a junior transfer from the University of Florida, finished her career at Florida with 125 goals, 62 assists, 35 ground balls, and 14 caused turnovers. LoPinto was the youngest player in school history to reach the 100-point milestones and the 100-goal career mark, and was named to the 2023 All-AAC First Team, IWLCA Second-Team All-American, ILWomen Third-Team All-American, and a Tewaaraton Top-25 nominee.
The question I am sure you’re asking is, “How will these transfers make an impact on an already loaded BC Eagles team?” Well, I have the answers for you.
After Charlotte North departed BC in 2022, many fans were wondering how the Eagles would fill her spot. Well, we all saw that it wasn’t easy, but the Eagles still made it to the NCAA championship and had another amazing season. It is clear that BC has a stacked offense, with people like Belle Smith, McKenna Davis, and Kayla Martello all returning. The trio finished with 139 goals and 100 assists between the three of them in 2023. The program saw Jenn Medjid depart, who was a huge part of their offense in the five years she spent with BC. The defense won’t change much, with players like Hunter Roman and Sydney Scales returning. Becky Browndorf, a graduate transfer from Florida, was another huge pick up for the Eagles in the offseason. She looks to lead a talented defense this coming season. However, LoPinto and Clark will fit right in on the attack side.
LoPinto is a phenomenal crease attacker who works hard to get her hands free. She is a proficient dodger from X, but can capitalize from any spot on the offensive end. She may be short in size, but her shot is powerful and strategically placed. LoPinto is a great addition for the Eagles. I would expect her to work well with McKenna Davis, who cemented her role as a crease attacker this past season. The duo is going to be a force to be reckoned with.
Clark has such a quick first step. The speedy attacker uses it to her advantage, and shoots with extreme power. She is stellar at placing the ball, even when she shoots from far out. Clark is a dominant, powerful dodger, but can also catch and score off a cut or on the run. She works well in 2-man game scenarios, and uses her height to her advantage. Clark will work well with attacker Kayla Martello, and you can expect those two to put up incredible numbers this season.
Boston College is a team to watch this upcoming season. The Eagles had a stellar offseason, and are looking to get back to that familiar spot: The NCAA championship. It won’t be easy, but they’re good, and they’re going to be even better with Clark and LoPinto on their attack.
