Pregame Report: Women's Semifinals

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Four of the decade's most dominant women's lacrosse programs converge on Villanova Stadium on Friday in the NCAA Division I final four.

In the first semifinal at 5 p.m., second-seeded Northwestern is out to avenge an early-season loss against No. 3 North Carolina.

Northwestern (19-2) has won seven of the last eight NCAA championships and is 8-0 overall in national semifinals. The Wildcats are going for a record-breaking ninth straight title game appearance.

The Tar Heels (18-3) have never won a championship but have appeared in the semifinals in four of the last five seasons.

In the nightcap, No. 1 Maryland tries to keep its unbeaten season alive against fifth-seeded Syracuse at 7:30 p.m. The Terrapins (21-0) are seeking their 11th title overall and first since 2010.

Syracuse, which fell in the final last season, is making its fourth final four appearance in the last six years. The Orange have won 13 straight games after opening the season 5-3.