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Syracuse women’s lacrosse had never stooped as low as it did at Christian Brothers Academy last April.

The No. 16 Orange were obliterated by No. 2 Boston College in their regular-season finale, falling 17-2 — the fewest goals SU scored ever. It was the nadir in a season that already showed significant signs of regression from Syracuse’s Final Four appearance the year prior.

It also highlighted a prolonged issue for Syracuse — falling to BC. The Eagles have beat the Orange eight consecutive times dating back to 2021. SU’s current senior class is 0-6 against the Eagles. Last year’s loss also marked the beginning of the end for then-head coach Kayla Treanor, who left the program a few weeks later with an 0-7 record against BC.

However, times are different as Syracuse enters its matchup with Boston College Thursday. This time, the Orange are ranked in the top four while BC sits at No. 16.

Syracuse is the hottest team in the sport, riding a 12-game winning streak dating back to February. But BC has won three of its last four, including a victory over then-No. 2 Stanford. SU still looks to be the favorite, and it can avenge its historically poor defeat against the Eagles last season.

Here’s a look at how last year’s contest played out, and where the Orange have gone since:

Setting the stage

Syracuse certainly didn’t enter last year’s matchup as the favorite, but the way it played out was still shocking. The Orange were 9-7 heading into the final game of the regular season, with mixed results across the board.

SU started 3-0, launching it into the top five before it was crushed by future national champion North Carolina on Feb. 22, 2025. It marked the beginning of a three-game losing streak in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Syracuse then won five of its next six but suffered a stunning upset at Virginia Tech five days before it squared off with BC.

The Eagles, on the other hand, enjoyed relatively smooth sailing through the regular season. BC opened the year with 13 consecutive wins before falling to UNC. It later stomped then-No. 11 Virginia five days before it met rival Syracuse.

Boston College was undoubtedly the better team. And it was apparent instantly when the two faced off last season.

Katie Crews | Digital Design Editor

The turning point: BC’s 7-0 first-quarter run

The game was over before it really got started. That’s what happens when you allow seven goals in the first 15 minutes.

Boston College featured one of the nation’s most prolific attacking duos last season in Rachel Clark and Mckenna Davis. They combined for seven points in the first quarter. Molly Driscoll drew first blood for BC, finishing past Daniella Guyette at the 11:58 mark.

Davis then scored and assisted back-to-back goals before Clark promptly rattled off three straight scores for a first-quarter hat trick. Clark logged her fourth point two minutes later, assisting Emma LoPinto at the 2:44 mark to make it 7-0 by the end of the first. SU, meanwhile, only had three shots on target, and no goals to show for it in the first frame.

Syracuse was already in a monumental hole 15 minutes into the game. That deficit never lessened; it climbed to a whopping 12-0 by the third quarter. The Orange never really stood a chance if they couldn’t limit BC’s attack, especially Clark and Davis. The duo combined for 16 points on the evening.

Player of the game: Rachel Clark

While both attackers wreaked havoc on Syracuse all day, Clark’s outing was absolutely unforgettable. The senior totaled nine points on eight goals, tied for the fourth-most scores in a single game in Boston College history.

Clark logged a hat trick by the 4:37 mark in the first quarter and had six goals by the time Syracuse scored its first.

Caroline Trinkaus finally broke Syracuse’s 41-minute scoring drought roughly four minutes into the third, but Clark shut down any idea of a moral victory for the Orange. She tallied another two goals in the fourth quarter, bringing BC’s lead to a game-high 15 goals at the 5:53 mark in the fourth.

Clark’s eight scores paved the way for an utter embarrassment of the Eagles’ rival.

Syracuse’s Joely Caramelli prepares for a draw control against Boston College’s Abbey Herod April 17, 2025. The Orange lost the draw battle 12-10 and lost the game by 15 goals. Avery Magee | Photo Editor

Where SU has gone since

In the 2016 Universal Studios production “Sing,” the protagonist, a savvy koala named Buster Moon — played by Matthew McConaughey — left viewers with an inspiring quote: “You know what’s great about hitting rock bottom? There’s only one way left to go, and that’s up.”

While Syracuse likely didn’t mean to follow the animated marsupial’s advice exactly, the Orange have seemingly adopted his mantra since that embarrassment to Boston College last season.

After Treanor left, the Orange rebuilt their coaching staff with the addition of head coach Regy Thorpe and offensive coordinator Nicole Levy. The roster changed slightly since last season — SU lost its two best attackers in Emma Ward and Olivia Adamson — but the change in results has been even more drastic.

Syracuse started the year 0-3 but has been scorching hot in the two months since, rattling off 12 straight wins. SU’s defense has been the catalyst behind that stretch, holding opponents to just 7.33 goals per game. Even after losing Ward and Adamson, the offense has come into its own over the past few weeks, averaging 11.20 goals over its last five contests.

Now, SU enters its matchup with BC Thursday riding the hottest stretch it’s seen in two years. At his Tuesday media availability, Thorpe insisted the Orange aren’t looking at the matchup as a rivalry. His team is just focused on securing the No. 3 seed in the ACC Tournament.

But beating the Eagles is something Syracuse hasn’t done in five years.

Boston College is the team Syracuse can’t beat. And now, Syracuse is the team that nobody in the country wants to play. But something has to give Thursday night. Otherwise, the Orange will be left sulking, having squandered an opportunity to avenge their greatest defeat.

Published on April 16, 2026 at 12:18 am
Contact Harris: harrispemberton@gmail.com | @HarrisPemb6