NCAA Lacrosse Final Four Preview

Penn State looking to make a run into National Championship (PSUAthletics)

Only four teams remain in the NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship this weekend taking place at Chester's Talen Energy Stadium. The national semi final is set to take place this evening with At-Large Bid Penn State taking on the third ranked and ACC Champs, University of North Carolina Tar Heels at 5p ET. In the late game tonight (7:30p ET) two storied programs will meet for a chance at the National Championship on Sunday. The University of Maryland are the two time defending champs, looking to make it three in a row, but standing in their way is a hungry Syracuse team ready for their first title in program history.

The Nittany Lions women's lacrosse team is making its first NCAA Semifinals appearance since 1999 after defeating seventh-seeded Penn 8-4 on Saturday at Penn State Lacrosse Field. PSU used a 6-0 run over an eight-minute span in the first half to earn their way into the NCAA Semis for the 10th time in school history. The Cinderella story can continue tonight with a win. On the opposing end, are the UNC Tar Heels who advanced to the NCAA semifinals for the ninth time in program history and the sixth time in the last eight years. After defeating Notre Dame 10-6 at home Carolina has won 15 consecutive games, matching the longest winning streak in program history. Penn State is going to need their defense to step up big tonight, in order to keep this potent Tar Heel offense off the boards.

In the second semi final, Syracuse is making its fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament semis and seventh in the past nine years. After defeating fifth ranked USC, 12-11, in overtime in the quarterfinal round Syracuse is going to need better defensive play in order to claim their first national title. The Orange have an all-time 2-4 mark in the semifinal round advancing twice to the National Championship but losing both times. Waiting for the Orange are the #1 Ranked and defending champion Maryland Terrapins. Maryland exploded for 18 goals against Massachusetts and looked every bit ready for a shot at the three peat. UMD is 19-1 all time against Syracuse with the lone loss for the Terps coming on March 10, 2012. This is also a rematch of a regular season match up in which the Terps won 14-9.

Prediction:

Maryland Def. Syracuse 15-10

UNC Def. Penn State 11-8

Follow Luis Sanchez on Twitter @Luis_MyW