Conference play in ACC women’s lacrosse might be a preview of the 2022 Final Four. The preseason Coaches Poll for the conference was released Tuesday, and though Carolina is expected to compete for a national championship, it’s not even picked for the top spot in its own league.

That honor went to the defending national champions, Boston College, who received 76 points, two ahead of Carolina at 74. The Eagles defeated the Tar Heels in the 2021 national semifinals on their way to the title.

Behind BC and Carolina are Syracuse, Notre Dame, Duke and Virginia, each of whom are ranked in the preseason Inside Lacrosse poll.

In addition, four Tar Heels were named to the preseason All-ACC team: attacker Jamie Ortega, midfielder Ally Mastroianni, defender Emma Trenchard and goalie Taylor Moreno.

Each of those four players are preseason All-Americans as well, and Moreno was named preseason ACC Defensive Player of the Year in January.

No. 2 Carolina will open its season February 12 when it visits No. 12 James Madison, and will open ACC play February 24 at Pittsburgh. The Tar Heels will travel to No. 1 Boston College on March 20, a game which will be broadcast nationally on ESPNU.


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