In a thrilling NCAA Quarterfinal matchup, the No. 7 Wesleyan women’s lacrosse team came up just short against No. 4 Colby, falling 7-6. With less than nine minutes left in the fourth quarter and trailing 7-3, Wesleyan fought back, scoring three unanswered goals and nearly equalizing in the closing seconds before a turnover sealed their fate.
Wesleyan concludes the season with a record of 15-6, marking only their second appearance in the Elite 8 in program history, and the first since 2019. Colby, improving to 17-3, not only eliminated the Cardinals for the second consecutive season but also advanced to their first-ever Final Four.
Game Highlights
Colby established an early advantage, scoring on each of their first three shot attempts to lead 3-1 by the end of the first quarter. However, despite securing this lead, the Mules struggled with turnovers, giving away possession six times in that opening period while Wesleyan’s defense kept the game tight.
Second Quarter Struggles
Wesleyan increased defensive pressure in the second quarter, forcing Colby into turnovers during their initial four possessions. Despite several near misses, including shots from Dylan Green ’26 and Kiara Tangney ’25 hitting the post, the Cardinals were unable to capitalize on these opportunities. Mya Waryas ’27 managed to score, reducing Colby’s lead to 5-2, but Colby quickly responded with two goals, extending their lead to three goals.
Third Quarter Defense
Only a single goal was scored by Colby in the third quarter, yet it maintained their three-goal lead entering the final period. With vital saves from Izzy Weintraub ’26, Wesleyan kept themselves in contention despite not converting on three free position shots in the quarter.
Final Quarter Comeback
Colby’s largest lead of the game appeared with Gennie Littlejohn’s goal from a free position, bringing the score to 7-3. Nevertheless, Wesleyan’s resolve shone through as they scored twice in quick succession to narrow the gap to 7-5. The Cardinals had a chance to draw even after a yellow card on Michener put Colby at a disadvantage, but they were unable to convert during the player-up opportunity.
Decisive Moments
With just 43 seconds remaining, Waryas netted her second goal, cutting the deficit to 7-6. A critical win at the draw control by Green gave Wesleyan a last-chance to level the score, but Colby’s Gisele Uva intercepted a crucial pass, allowing the Mules to hold on for victory as the clock ran down.
Statistics Overview
- Shots: Wesleyan 25, Colby 15
- Turnovers: Wesleyan 16, Colby 20
- Ground Balls: Wesleyan 24, Colby 17
- Draw Controls: Colby 11, Wesleyan 6
Individually, Green and Waryas each netted two goals for Wesleyan, contributing significantly to their offense. Defensively, Molly Simon ’26, Lilly Stoller ’26, and Lindsey Diomede ’26 had notable performances with three caused turnovers each, while Weintraub made six saves in goal.
