Mule Weekly Recap May 23, 2022

Thrilling Comeback Sends Mules to Elite 8

Colby completed a stellar comeback in the fourth quarter against William Smith College in the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse tournament Saturday. Trailing by two goals entering the quarter, the Mules outscored the Herons 6-2 in the final quarter to outlast William Smith 13-11.

William Smith advanced to the third round hosted by Middlebury College after defeating Messiah 17-10 a week ago, while Colby won their second round matchup over the United States Merchant Marines Academy 20-4.

The Herons led from the get go, stringing together the first three goals of the contest before Cami McDonald got the Mules on the board. Colby tied the game at 4-4 on a score by Gianna Bruno and again at 5-5 on a goal by Grace Toner, but William Smith was able to net a last-second goal to head into the break ahead 6-5.

William Smith extended its lead to three goals at 10-7 with 11 minutes left to play in the fourth quarter when the Mules went to work. Toner netted her third of the contest and Ally Franz scored her second and third to tie the game with seven minutes to play. Annie Eddy put Colby ahead for the first time on the day, and goals by Ainsley Dion and McDonald gave the Mules space to stretch out the victory.

With the win, Colby advanced to play Middlebury Sunday in the Elite 8.

Facing the top team in the nation on their own turf Sunday, the Mules gave it their all. The Middlebury defensive unit was stellar, as they'd been all season. McDonald and Toner scored a goal apiece for the Mules as Colby fell 12-2.

Despite missing graduation ceremonies on Mayflower Hill Sunday, the Colby community rallied to honor the nine seniors Monday with their own graduation ceremony.