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It’s an unfortunate reality for Syracuse, but if there’s a time for its nation-best 12-game winning streak to come to an end, it’s now. The Orange most recently miraculously topped Notre Dame in quadruple overtime Saturday.

SU head coach Regy Thorpe had his standard takeaways postgame. The defense stood on its head and Daniella Guyette pulled through when needed most. But even Thorpe, who wasn’t with Syracuse last year, knows the Orange can’t focus on the past when Boston College is ahead.

The Eagles are Syracuse’s annual kryptonite, and their most recent meeting marked a program low for the Orange. In a 17-2 defeat on April 17, 2025, SU’s two goals were its fewest ever, and its 15-goal deficit was its worst in 20 years.

Although BC is having a considerably worse season than last year and Syracuse is miles better, the Eagles always pose a challenge when the Orange are on the opposite sideline.

Here’s everything to know about No. 16 Boston College (8-6, 5-3 Atlantic Coast) before it hosts No. 4 Syracuse (12-3, 7-2 ACC) Thursday at Alumni Stadium:

All-time series

Syracuse leads 17-15.

Last time they played

This is a long-standing rivalry, but the all-time series doesn’t tell half of the story. The Eagles have won the squads’ last eight matchups, and as previously mentioned, last year’s was the most lopsided.

Boston College rolled out to a ridiculous 10-0 halftime lead. The game was over long before that, though, as the Eagles scored five goals in the first 10 minutes, while SU tried just four shots in that span.

Syracuse goalie Daniella Guyette allowed 16 goals, tying her career worst, and saved just four shots. BC’s Rachel Clark scored a career-best eight goals, and Mckenna Davis and Emma LoPinto each added a pair.

The Eagles report

BC will always be menacing to Syracuse, but this is SU’s best shot at vanquishing its five-year skid. The Eagles lost Clark, LoPinto, Mia Mascone and Davis, four of BC’s top five goal scorers last season. They only retained Molly Driscoll of the bunch, but she’s carried her weight with a team-best 47 points.

But like Molly Guzik’s SU-leading 46 points, Driscoll’s total isn’t too daunting. The Eagles sport a balanced offense, with Marissa White chipping in 44 points and Giulia Colarusso adding 41. Those three make up BC’s statistical backbone. But don’t forget about its star power, which can deliver at any moment.

Shea Baker is a defensive fiend, and Shea Dolce is a demon in net. They’ve both tormented Syracuse in the past. Although the Eagles’ defensive performances have been far from sunshine and rainbows, it wouldn’t be surprising if they find a rhythm against SU.

The Orange also see some familiarity on BC’s sideline, with former standout midfielder Savannah Sweitzer serving as Boston College’s graduate assistant. While Sweitzer didn’t play under Thorpe, Syracuse lacrosse is Syracuse lacrosse, and her experience with several of SU’s key pieces could prove crucial Thursday.

How Syracuse beats Boston College

Syracuse will need yet another massive performance from Guyette. She saved seven shots after the third quarter Saturday, three of which came across the four overtime periods. Guyette is having a career year, stamped by two ACC Defensive Player of the Week awards, but BC’s potent attack has the chance to derail that.

The Eagles try 30.43 shots per game, which ranks third in the ACC, and 21.93 attempts on goal, which comes in fifth. Sure enough, Notre Dame is one of the four teams ahead of BC, but can Guyette come out on top again?

Boston College is also lethal on woman-up opportunities. It’s scored 34 goals in that situation, third-best in the conference, and will look to add a few more against SU’s netminder.

Stat to know: 7.93

One of these days, Syracuse’s draw control struggles are going to come back to bite it. The Orange average just 7.93 draw wins per game, a tally that ranks dead last in the ACC. Thorpe is accustomed to mentioning SU’s struggles postgame, but he doesn’t dwell on it due to Syracuse’s success elsewhere.

Some of the best specialists in the nation roam the ACC, but BC’s Abbey Herod isn’t one of them. Still, it seems anyone can exploit Syracuse. So if Boston College — which wins 14 draws per game — hits that mark against SU, the draw control may finally separate Syracuse from a win and a loss.

Player to watch: Molly Driscoll, attack, No. 29

Driscoll is next up in a long line of dominant BC attacks. What makes her even deadlier is she knows Syracuse’s defensive tendencies better than most, stemming from her time playing with SU defender Izzy Lahah for Mass Elite in high school.

Lahah and Driscoll earned the nickname “The Bash Brothers” for their physicality and aggressiveness. That moniker still rings true for BC’s junior, who has had nine multi-goal games this year and could be at the front of the next Boston College dynasty.

Published on April 16, 2026 at 12:15 am
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