The Colby women’s lacrosse team lost to the second-seeded Tufts University Jumbos on Saturday in Medford, MA, leaving them to await the results of the NCAA Tournament selection process. The Jumbos are ranked third nationally, with their only two losses of the season coming at the hands of top-ten-ranked teams, and they beat the Mules earlier in the season by a score of 16-11.
Tufts showed this talent by jumping out to an early lead, scoring the game’s first eight goals. As they have all season, the Jumbos relied on a powerful attack led by Allie Zorn and Schuyler Lloyd, who each recorded their fortieth goals of the season in the game. Colby eventually broke the skid with a goal from Josselyn Silva `29 to make the score 8-1 early in the second period of play. Despite another goal from Julia Maimonis `26 shortly after, the Jumbos did not relent, with Zorn leading the offensive attack, scoring seven goals by herself in the first half. Colby’s offense was productive throughout the game, producing nearly as many shots on goal and offensive opportunities as the Jumbos, but excellent goalkeeping play by Tufts’ Devon Chipman kept the Mules from cutting into the lead.
The game resumed from halftime with Tufts ahead by a score of 13-2, but Christina Long `27 capitalized on a free position penalty shot to open the second half scoring. The Mules tried to build momentum from the goal, winning several draw controls, but remained unable to find the back of the net. Tufts benefitted from strong defensive play on their offensive side, preventing the Mules from ever clearing the ball and keeping them on defense. This resulted in a string of four goals, with the Mules unable to generate any offensive zone chances in the meantime.
In the fourth quarter, Colby was able to make up some ground, scoring the frame’s first three goals. Emily Counihan `28 scored first, followed shortly after by Charlotte Michener `28 and Silva. With the score sitting at 17-6, a Colby penalty gave the Jumbos a two minute player-up opportunity, during which they scored to put the game out of reach for the Mules. Emma Greene `26 added another goal, but the match ended with a final score of 20-7 in favor of the Jumbos. Tufts will advance to play third-seeded Wesleyan next weekend, while the Mules will wait to see if they earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The NESCAC has produced eight of the last twenty Division III champions in the sport, and usually earns several at-large bids, for which the Mules have an excellent case. They are undefeated in out-of-conference play, earned a top-20 national ranking last week, and beat both Bowdoin and Bates to defend their CBB title. Last year, of the five NESAC teams participating in the national tournament, three advanced to the Final Four, including both the Mules and the eventual champion Middlebury Panthers.
~ Matt Quealy `26
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