MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – The Connecticut College women's lacrosse team wrapped up the 2025 season, falling to No. 6 Wesleyan 16-3 on Wednesday night from Smith Field.
Conn came out the gates flying, opening the scoring just 35 seconds in. Aine Downey (Brookline, Mass.) found a streaking Greta Panke (Milldale, Conn.) who fired home to make it 1-0. A minute and a half later, Wesleyan got on the board off a goal from Mya Waryas. Both defenses stepped up over the next ten minutes, before the Cardinals took the lead on a free-position goal at 3:24 to lead 2-1 after one.
Just over two minutes into the second quarter, Wesleyan extended the lead on a tally from Kiara Tangney, before the lead got pushed to 4-1 with 12 minutes left. Emma Ognibene (New Canaan, Conn.) had a chance to end the run a minute later, but she had a shot blocked and another saved. Wesleyan ended the quarter tallying five more goals, as the Cardinals led 9-1 at the half.
Wesleyan continued on the front foot to start the second half, notching two more goals to extend the lead to 11-1. However, Conn finally ended the run midway through the quarter. With the Camels playing a woman-up, Caroline Bruce (Acton, Mass.) found Kate Coughlin (Reading, Mass.) in front of the cage who fired home to make it 11-2. The Cardinals added two more goals to end the quarter, leading 13-2 heading to the fourth.
Just 40 seconds into the final quarter, Bruce found the back of the net to make it 13-3. A minute and a half later, Wesleyan answered with a goal from Maddie Chang, before Maddie Shoemaker added a free-position goal midway through the quarter to make it 15-3. The Cardinals added one more goal in the final five minutes to come away with the 16-3 win.
Wesleyan outshot Conn 34-19, while Conn held a 12-11 edge on draw controls.
Ava Virga (Watertown, N.Y.) got the start in the cage, finishing with 10 saves. Bruce paced the Camels with two points on one goal and one assist. Coughlin and Panke both notched one goal, while Downey and Elizabeth Gill (Hingham, Mass.) each added one assist.
Brogan Holbrough (Rochester, N.Y.) led the Camels' defense, scooping up three ground balls and causing two turnovers, while Virga added two ground balls and two caused turnovers. Sydney Weber (Hanover, Mass.) controlled a team-high four draws, while Downey controlled three and Suzie Smith (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) corralled two.
Three goalies saw action in goal for Wesleyan, combining for eight saves, with Izzy Weintraub getting credited for the win. Sam DeLeo led the Cardinals attack, notching five points on two goals and three assists.
Conn wraps up the season with a 7-8 overall record and a 2-8 mark in NESCAC play.
