Sports

Michigan Edges Boston College In Double Overtime Thriller

Late heroics and standout goaltending define a dramatic Atlanta Lacrosse Invitational as Boston College falls to Michigan in double overtime, while Michigan mens team battles Army in a hard-fought contest.

6 min read

The Atlanta Lacrosse Invitational at Morehouse College delivered a weekend of intense action and heart-stopping finishes, as both the women’s and men’s teams from the University of Michigan found themselves at the center of dramatic contests on February 21, 2026. For fans of college lacrosse, the Saturday doubleheader was a rollercoaster ride, brimming with high stakes, comeback runs, and last-second heroics that’ll be etched in memory for seasons to come.

In the early afternoon, the spotlight shone on the Boston College women’s lacrosse squad as they squared off against Michigan in a clash that would stretch well beyond regulation. The Eagles, desperate to notch their first win of the season, faced a Wolverines team riding momentum and looking to build on their promising start. By the end of the day, Michigan had edged out Boston College in a double-overtime thriller, 10-9, leaving the Eagles at 0-3 and the Wolverines soaring to a 3-1 record.

The contest began with a defensive standoff, as Boston College’s offense sputtered in the first half. Michigan seized the opportunity and built a 5-2 advantage at halftime, their defense stifling the Eagles’ usually potent attack. Shea Dolce, Boston College’s goalkeeper, was a lone bright spot in the opening periods, turning away shot after shot to keep her team within striking distance. Dolce’s performance would only grow more impressive, as she finished the afternoon with a season-high 13 saves and a sparkling .565 save percentage—her best outing yet. Over her last two games, she’s amassed 27 saves and boasted a .551 save rate, numbers that underscore her value between the pipes.

But it wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Eagles. As the third period unfolded, Boston College’s offense finally found its rhythm. Molly Driscoll, who would end the day with four points (two goals, two assists), sparked a 4-0 run that electrified the Eagles’ bench and fans alike. Driscoll’s vision and poise were on full display when she set up Devon Russell for the game-tying goal, capping a surge that erased Michigan’s 6-2 lead and knotted the score. Russell, for her part, tied her career high with two goals and chipped in a caused turnover, making her presence felt on both ends of the field.

Momentum shifted as the Eagles pressed on. After Michigan briefly pulled ahead, Kylee Colbert responded with her second goal of the day, tying the contest once more. Then, Giulia Colarusso delivered a clutch performance, scoring both her goals in the second half—including the go-ahead tally that handed Boston College its first lead at 8-7 entering the fourth quarter. Colarusso’s two goals matched her season best, and Colbert’s pair set a new season high for the attacker.

The fourth period was a see-saw affair, with Michigan rallying for two straight goals to reclaim a 9-8 lead with just under six minutes to play. Not to be outdone, Colarusso struck again, leveling the score at 9-9 and sending the game hurtling toward a tense finish. With 2:06 left in regulation, Dolce made a pivotal save, preserving the tie and giving her teammates a chance to win it in overtime. The tension in the stadium was palpable—could the Eagles finally break through?

Overtime brought more drama. Dolce’s heroics continued, as she came up with another key stop in the first extra session, keeping the Eagles’ hopes alive. Both teams traded chances, but neither could find the breakthrough until the waning seconds of the second overtime. With just four ticks left on the clock, Michigan’s Ceci Stein found the back of the net, sealing a 10-9 victory for the Wolverines and sending their bench into jubilation. For Boston College, it was a gut-wrenching defeat, but also a testament to their resilience and the emergence of new leaders on the field.

Driscoll’s four-point outing tied her season high, while Marissa White continued her consistent play, registering three points (one goal, two assists) for the second straight game. Boston College’s stat sheet was rounded out by 30 shots, 12 draw controls, and seven ground balls—numbers that, despite falling short of Michigan’s 41 shots and 14 ground balls, reflected the Eagles’ ability to generate opportunities and battle for possession. The teams were dead even in turnovers (nine each) and caused turnovers (three apiece), highlighting the evenly matched nature of the contest.

Looking ahead, Boston College will try to regroup quickly as they travel to Tallahassee for a Tuesday matchup against Florida State, searching for that elusive first win. The Eagles’ coaching staff will no doubt emphasize the positives—Dolce’s stellar play, the offensive awakening, and the grit shown in erasing multiple deficits. For Michigan, the victory marks a significant step forward, showcasing their poise under pressure and the ability to execute when it matters most.

Meanwhile, just hours later at the same Atlanta venue, the University of Michigan men’s lacrosse team faced a formidable challenge of their own, taking on No. 10 Army in a neutral-site showdown. The Wolverines, coming off their double-overtime triumph, entered the contest with confidence and quickly built a lead, holding Army scoreless for nearly the first ten minutes and jumping out to a 4-2 advantage early in the second quarter.

Matt Han and Jack Jenkins were instrumental in the early going, with Han notching two first-half goals and Jenkins tallying three points (two goals, one assist) over the course of the game. Nick Roode contributed two goals, while Alex Gatto and Eliot Dubick added to the offensive mix with a goal and two assists, respectively. Defensively, Henry Weller caused two turnovers and Will Tominovich scooped up four ground balls, helping to limit Army’s opportunities.

Michigan’s momentum carried them to a 7-5 halftime lead, thanks to late goals from Tay Rodriguez and Josh Ford. But Army, ranked tenth nationally and undefeated, stormed back in the third quarter, tying the game and eventually grabbing their first lead at 9-8 heading into the fourth. The Black Knights stretched their advantage to three, putting Michigan’s resolve to the test.

Despite a late push—Roode’s goal with just over six minutes to play cut the deficit to one, and he added another with 13 seconds remaining—the Wolverines couldn’t quite complete the comeback, falling 13-11. Goalkeeper Hunter Taylor finished with six saves, but it wasn’t enough to stem the tide against a relentless Army attack. Michigan’s record slipped to 3-2, while Army remained perfect at 4-0.

For the Wolverines, the weekend featured both the agony of a near-miss and the thrill of an earlier double-overtime triumph. They’ll look to regroup and build on the positives as they prepare to travel to Denver for a February 28 clash, eager to prove they can hang with the nation’s elite.

As the dust settles on a wild Atlanta Lacrosse Invitational, both Boston College and Michigan have plenty to ponder—and plenty to look forward to. With standout performances, breakout stars, and more drama sure to come, lacrosse fans won’t want to miss a minute of the action as the season heats up.

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