Defending national champion Maryland isn’t in the Atlantic Coast Conference with North Carolina anymore, but their women's lacrosse rivalry couldn’t be stronger as they prepare to meet in the NCAA final for the second time in three years. The Terps lost the 2013 title game to North Carolina in triple overtime. Last year, they beat Syracuse in the final; the injury-riddled Tar Heels fell in the quarterfinals.
North Carolina suffered a few key injuries again this season, including North Carroll graduate Brittney Coppa’s second torn ACL in two years, but the injuries haven’t hurt as much, and Coppa, a senior, scored a goal in Friday’s 16-7 semifinal win over third-seeded Duke.