NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Connecticut College women's lacrosse team fell to Colby 18-6 on a wet, rainy Saturday afternoon at Silfen Field.

The No. 14 ranked Mules led for the entirety of the game and were paced by Ally Franz and Annie Eddy who scored a combined 10 goals. Teammate Gianna Bruno was the game's top facilitator, registering five assists. With the victory, Colby (5-3 overall, 3-2 NESCAC) has won five straight, after dropping the first three games of the season. Conn falls to 4-4 this season with the loss. The first year duo of Kate Coughlin (Reading, Mass.) and Hannah Merritt (Cheshire, Conn.) led the Camels with two goals each. 

The Mules opened the first quarter with a heavy offensive attack despite the tough playing conditions due to the weather. The visitors hopped out to a 6-0 lead by the end of the opening frame thanks to three free-position goals. Colby dominated field position throughout the first 15 minutes, outshooting Conn 13-2. 

Franz began the second stanza with three consecutive goals in the first four minutes to put the Mules up 9-0. But Conn showed resiliency by scoring three of the contest's next four goals to narrow the lead to 10-3. During the span, Merritt scored on two free-position shots, while sophomore Greta Panke (Milldale, Conn.) added her lone tally of the game. 

After the Mules struck back to regain the eight-goal lead, Campbell Johnston (Duxbury, Mass.) wove through several Colby defenders and scored with less than one second remaining in the half, as the Camels would head into the break down 11-4. 

Conn entered the second half looking to capitalize on the momentum of Johnston's buzzer-beating score, but the visitors tallied six consecutive goals to truly put the game out of reach. Coughlin added a score for the Camels near the end of the quarter, but the Mules would carry the 17-5 lead heading into the final frame.

In the fourth quarter, the two teams battled the sloppy conditions as the rain continued to pick up. Scoring chances were at a premium as the squads forced turnovers at both ends of the field. Franz added Colby's last tally to increase the lead to 12. With just over seven minutes left, Coughlin scored the final goal of the game, but the visitors would walk away with the 18-6 victory.

Conn goaltender Violette Nidds (Ridgewood, N.J.) made six saves and led the team with five ground balls. The Mules used a trio of goalies in net. Starter Sarah Hearns earned the win despite not registering a save.

Prior to the game, Conn celebrated four seniors for their contributions to the women's lacrosse program over the past several years. Mae Emerson (Deerfield, Mass.), Hailey Fahey (Norwich, Vt.), Abigail Gleeson-Feldman (Nanuet, N.Y.), and Emily Yorns (Longmeadow, Mass.) were recognized in the pre-game ceremony.

Connecticut College (4-4 overall, 0-4 NESCAC) will be back in action at home on Wednesday, April 5 against in-state rival Trinity.