Preston: Boston College is rising, but Maryland showed why it still reigns in women's lacrosse

After watching her Maryland women’s lacrosse team secure its 14th national championship Sunday, coach Cathy Reese was standing on the sideline hugging everything in sight, from her players to the assistant coaches to the trainers. Her players were also in a state of euphoria, exchanging high-fives, hugs and piling on each other.

About 30 yards away, Boston College players lined up single file. They were solemn as they prepared to meet the Terps for postgame congratulatory handshakes. Unfortunately for the Eagles, they have become all too familiar with the ritual after losing an unprecedented third straight national championship game.

Maryland survived a stubborn second-half comeback attempt by Boston College in a 12-10 victory before an announced sellout crowd of 9,433 at Johns Hopkins’ Homewood Field. It was the classic tale of a powerhouse program refusing to relinquish its hold on the sport against a rising challenger that’s not quite good enough to take it.