On Friday, off the heels of a championship loss, No. 2 Northwestern begins its season with its most significant immediate test by traveling to Chestnut Hill to face the ever-present No. 3 Boston College.
This isn’t just any opener. It’s a direct rematch of last season’s epic NCAA semifinal, where the Wildcats stormed back from a five-goal deficit in the second half to stun the Eagles. Boston College, led by former NU assistant Acacia Walker-Weinstein, boasts the nation’s premier goalkeeper and a defense
built for championship runs. For Northwestern to start its “revenge tour” with a statement road win, here are three keys to success.
1. Solve the Shea Dolce puzzle early with a shiny new attack
Northwestern’s attack is supercharged with transfers like Maddie Epke (James Madison) and Olivia Adamson (Syracuse), who join reigning offensive star Madison Taylor. The question is how seamlessly this new “big three” can gel against a top-tier opponent from day one.
The single biggest obstacle between Northwestern and a victory is Boston College goalkeeper Shea Dolce. The reigning USA Lacrosse First Team Preseason All-American led the nation in save percentage (.550) and total saves (202) in 2025. She is the engine of BC’s elite defense.
The Wildcats’ new-look, high-powered attack must avoid the temptation to simply fire away. The key will be high-quality, high-percentage shots: crisp ball movement to force defensive rotations, exploiting lanes off the dodge and capitalizing on fast breaks before Dolce can get set. If NU gets into a rhythm of taking predictable, contested shots from the perimeter, Dolce will feast and control the game’s tempo.
That said, if Epke and Adamson can immediately draw defensive attention away from Taylor like we think they can, it will open up the offense and prevent BC from focusing solely on stopping Taylor as they might have in the past.
2. Define the game by establishing draw control dominance
Northwestern lost its top draw specialists from 2025. Thus, a major storyline is the new era in the draw circle for the Wildcats. Gone are stalwarts Sammy White and Sam Smith, who were central to last year’s possession battles, while Boston College graduated its top scorers but returns a strong defensive unit.
The addition of Maddie Epke, who recorded a whopping 235 draw controls at JMU in 2025, is critical here. Winning the draw is non-negotiable. It’s vital to dictating tempo, feeds NU’s high-powered attack, keeps pressure off its own young defense and prevents BC from grinding out possessions. If Epke can establish draw dominance early, it will help NU’s offense find its rhythm and ease pressure on the new-look defense. The team that controls the center circle will likely control the game’s flow.
3. Accelerate defensive chemistry from the first whistle
While the offensive transfers have garnered headlines, Northwestern’s defense presents the biggest question mark. With only sophomore Mary Carroll returning significant starting experience, the unit will rely on Harvard transfer Annabel Child (now listed as a midfielder), top-10 recruit Mckenzie Brown and new full-time starters in front of elite transfer goalie Jennika Cuocco.
BC’s attack, though retooled, features dangerous pieces like Molly Driscoll and UNC transfer Marissa White. How quickly this NU defense communicates, handles switches and settles into its system will be tested immediately. They don’t need to be perfect, but they must limit BC’s easy chances and provide Cuocco with manageable saves to build confidence. A shaky start defensively could put the Wildcats in a deep hole against a team built to protect leads.
The Kicker
This game is a litmus test for Northwestern’s revamped roster. If the new offensive pieces click, the draw control is secured and the defense shows early cohesion, NU can jumpstart its season with a statement win on the road. If not, BC’s experienced defense and the brilliance of Shea Dolce could make it a long afternoon for the Wildcats.
