Smith sparks Northwestern

Second-seeded Northwestern scored 5 of the first 6 goals and went on to beat Boston College 11-8 at Lakeside Field in Evanston to open the NCAA women’s lacrosse championship Saturday afternoon.

The Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will meet either seventh-seeded and undefeated Albany or Dartmouth on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Evanston and televised live by the Big Ten Network.

The Wildcats received a third straight 5-goal effort from junior Shannon Smith, who added 2 assists. Smith’s 7 points increased her career total to 253, seventh best all-time at NU. Her 5 goals moved her past former Wildcats great Hannah Nielsen for eighth on the all-time list with 175.