Division I Women's Championship Weekend from A-to-Z

Student-athletes have fitness tests and final exams. Here at USA Lacrosse Magazine, we have the A-to-Z guide to the final four. It’s an exercise in both physical and mental stamina — you try deep-diving rosters hoping that someone, anyone has a first or last name starting with Q (not this year), X (nope) and Z (yep, stay tuned).

Still, it must be done. With the national semifinals somehow upon us — wasn’t February five minutes ago? — we engaged in the annual rite of passage. Below is a guide to the final four, including players, storylines and weather forecasts to watch all weekend.

A is for ACC: The ACC leads the field with two teams at championship weekend. And unless you’re new here, you’re not surprised those two programs are No. 1 North Carolina and No. 2 Boston College, which have played in a league of their own in 2025.

B is for Basso: Jordan Basso transferred to Florida from Division III Gettysburg, where she played four years, and is proving that Roman numerals don’t tell the whole story. Basso has been a key cog on a Florida offense that lost significant players from last year’s final four run, sitting third on the Gators with 76 points on 36 goals and 38 assists.

C is for Clark: We’ll hit two players here: Rachel Clark, the Tewaaraton Award finalist from Boston College, who has 103 goals this season. Either Clark or Northwestern’s Madison Taylor will wind up as the new Division I record-holder for single-season goals, surpassing High Point Abby Hormes’ 103 goals from 2023. Florida’s Clark Hamilton (54G, 15A) is another offensive player to watch.

D is for Delaney Sweitzer: Delaney Sweitzer is playing in her third-straight final four. Sweitzer also anchored the Syracuse defense during the Orange’s runs in 2023 and 2024 and is playing on her third team (and in her third time zone) of her collegiate career, having initially suited up for USC.

E is for Eagles: The Eagles are playing in the national semifinals for the eighth-straight season and hoping to make the national championship game for the eighth time in that stretch. A natty would give BC two titles in a row and three in program history.

F is for Foxborough: A tip of the cap (or goalie helmet) to this year’s host city. The teams will play in Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots and Taylor Swift’s epic rain-soaked 2023 Eras Tour performance. (We’re not done with weather talk here.)

G is for Gators: The Florida Gators are here for the second season in a row. As with 2024, the 2025 run seemed improbable on paper at the start of the season. Florida lost all four of its leading scorers from last season (Maggi Hall, Danielle Pavinelli, Ashley Gonzalez and Emily Heller), but games aren’t won and lost on paper. Speaking of which, the Gators — while the clear underdog this weekend — are the only program that can become a first-time champion.

H is for Humphrey: It’s been a family affair for Humphrey sisters Nicole, Ashley and Chloe. Younger sisters Ashley (31G, 82A) and Chloe (79G, 27A) will also share the stage as Tewaaraton Award finalists on May 29. But they’d like to share something in common with their elder sister, Nicole, who already has a championship ring from 2022 with North Carolina.

I is for In-state: Boston College has a short 42-minute-ish trip to Gillette. Next year, Northwestern’s will be even shorter if the Wildcats return to the national semifinals. Championship weekend will be held in Evanston in 2026. Will home cooking matter this year and (perhaps) next?

J is for Joint effort: The Division I men’s and women’s championship weekends (plus the championship games for the Division II and Division III men) will be held at the same place, something North Carolina head coach Jenny Levy indicated she wouldn’t mind seeing more of during a conference call with media earlier on Monday.

K is for Kelly Amonte Hiller: The Northwestern head coach resurrected the Wildcats program and has led them to 16 final fours and eight national championships. Amonte Hiller is also a USA Lacrosse Hall of Famer and led the U.S. Women’s U20 National Team to a gold medal in Hong Kong, China, last summer.

L is for Levy: This season (and the next three) has also been a family affair for Levy and her daughter, Kate. The younger Levy always dreamed of wearing the Carolina Blue and has played in all 20 games for the Tar Heels this season (12G, 9A, 22CT, 22DC, 24GB). Mom is in her 30th season at the helm of UNC and is seeking her fourth NCAA championship ring.

M is for Monaco: Gianna Monaco leads Florida in goals (73) and points (93). And unlike last year’s leaders, Monaco will return next year. She’s a junior.

N is for Neon: Expect to see it at Gillette, given that it’s essentially a home game for Boston College. Acacia Walker-Weinstein had families start wearing neon green during the Eagles’ unlikely run to their first final four in 2017, saying the team took comfort in easily finding loved ones in the stands. It’s since become a tradition.

O is for O’Leary: Amanda O’Leary has helmed Florida since its inaugural 2010 season, laying down a blueprint for how to turn a program into an immediate success story that’s since served as inspiration for upstart Power 5 conference schools like Clemson, Pitt and others. O’Leary’s Gators have made 14 NCAA tournament appearances and are in the final four for the third time. A national title would be a first — and a capstone.

P is for Patillo: The nation’s No. 1-overall recruit for the class of 2024, Addison Patillo has almost quietly put together a solid freshman campaign. Patillo has played in every game and scored 29 goals for North Carolina’s top-ranked offense (17.60 goals per game).

Q is for Quarterback: No, not Tom Brady, though perhaps the GOAT will grace us with his presence. If he does, he’ll be treated to UNC’s Ashley Humphrey (82A), BC’s McKenna Davis (75A) and Florida’s Frannie Hahn (32G, 59A), who have served as primary quarterbacks of their respective offenses this season.

R is for Revenge: All four teams are seeking it in some way. Florida lost to Northwestern in last year’s national semifinal and to UNC earlier this year, but it knocked out the Tar Heels in the first round of the NCAA tournament last season. The Wildcats would love to upend BC and UNC, both of which beat them in the regular season, and the Eagles topped them for the 2024 NCAA title. UNC won nail-biters against the Eagles in the regular season and ACC championship game but has made no secret about wanting to take the NCAA by storm after last year’s injury-riddled down year in 2024. Sunday will be sweet for someone.

S is for Shea: Baker or Dolce? Pick your poison. Both Sheas are first-team All-Americans, ACC major award winners and leaders for the Boston College defense. Shea Dolce (7.64GAA, .555SV%) famously made a kick save, and it was a beauty, to seal BC’s NCAA championship last season. Baker (96DC, 40CT, 31GB) is the ACC Defender of the Year and part of a legacy of standout defenders that have stabilized Boston College during its eight-season run of success.

T is for Taylor: Two-time Tewaaraton Award finalist Madison Taylor is currently the NCAA single-season record holder for goals (105), having surpassed Hormes in Northwestern’s NCAA quarterfinal win over Penn. She also leads the NCAA in goals per game (5.25).

U is for Umbrella: It’s supposed to rain Friday, so you’ll want to pack one if you’re headed to Gillette. Hopefully, you won’t have to endure what Swifties did back in 2023. Weather has famously played a role in another recent semifinal, with the North Carolina contingent in 2022 crediting a lightning delay for resetting a slow start and leading to an epic finish in a come-from-behind win over Northwestern.

V is for Vergano: Virginia Tech graduate transfer Olivia Vergano is fourth on UNC in goals (36) and points (49).

W is for Walker: Walker-Welch or Walker-Weinstein? We couldn't choose between Brooklyn Walker-Welch (UNC defender) or Acacia Walker-Weinstein, the Boston College head coach. Your pick will likely depend on which ACC team you prefer.

X is for X factor: It was Sam Geiersbach for North Carolina in 2022, Sammy White for the Wildcats in 2023 and Shea Dolce’s foot for BC in 2024. Who — or what — will serve as this year’s unexpected X-factor in 2025?

Y is for Younger: After years of fifth-year players dominating playing time and headlines, this year’s final four is flush with key players who will return next year — Chloe Humphrey, Monaco and Taylor, just to name a few.

Z is for Zenk: Betty Nelson (7.54GAA, .491SV%) has been stellar for North Carolina this season. But Levy isn’t shy about pulling a goalie for a reset or momentum shift (See: Taylor Moreno’s quick “benching” in the 2022 national semifinals). Freshman Lexi Zenk is Nelson’s primary backup, having seen action in nine games and producing a 5.10 goals against average and .575 save percentage.