LANCASTER, Pa. — The ninth-ranked Washington and Lee University women's lacrosse team enters the NCAA Division III Regional Weekend with momentum and experience, riding an 11-game winning streak and boasting a 2025 résumé that includes its 25th Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) championship and two dominant NCAA Tournament victories.
The Generals (18-4) opened postseason play with a 26-2 rout of Transylvania, followed by a 19-5 dismantling of previously unbeaten Sewanee. The regular season featured a marquee 13-7 win over then-No. 2 Salisbury, and W&L also earned a hard-fought 10-9 victory over Denison in late March. The Generals are the only team in the Lancaster regional to have faced all three of their potential opponents. They'll look to avenge a 15-7 regular-season loss to Gettysburg when the two teams meet again at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Shadek Stadium on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College.
Opponent Preview: No. 6 Gettysburg Bullets (17-3)
Gettysburg advanced to the NCAA regional semifinals with a gritty 13–11 win over No. 18 Trinity (Conn.) on Sunday. A pivotal third-quarter run gave the Bullets a one-goal lead heading into the final period, where they held off the Bantams to notch their 17th victory of the season.
Julia Daly led the way with a hat trick and an assist, while Emily Crane added two goals and six draw controls. Sarah Scollin contributed two goals, an assist, and a pair of caused turnovers as part of a balanced effort. Gettysburg edged Trinity 14-13 on draws and out-cleared them 14-11 in the second half. The Bullets improved to 16-1 all-time in NCAA second-round home games and advanced to the second weekend for the 10th straight season.
The Bullets feature an efficient offense averaging 14.40 goals per game and allow just 9.09 on defense. Daly leads the team with 57 goals and 41 assists (98 points), followed by Crane (52g, 17a), and Michaela Kelly (20g, 31a). In goal, Juliette deVarenne owns a 9.01 goals-against average and .474 save percentage across 20 starts. Gettysburg has caused 205 turnovers, scooped up 368 ground balls, and clears at an 84.4% success rate—marking them as one of the most well-rounded teams in the bracket.
The Generals and Bullets square off at 4 p.m. on the Campus of Franklin & Marshall in Shadek Stadium, follow along here.
On the Other Side of the Bracket
No. 20 Denison Big Red (15-4)
Denison powered into the Sweet 16 with a commanding 23–4 victory over Lake Forest on Sunday. After earning a first-round bye, the Big Red surged ahead with nine goals in the first quarter—three of which came from Anna DeVuono—and extended their lead to 16–1 by halftime behind contributions from 15 different scorers. Caroline Brooks added a career-high four assists to fuel the offensive explosion.
Defensively, Denison dominated across the board, allowing just 11 total shots, forcing 13 turnovers, winning draws 24-5, and converting 8-of-15 free-position attempts. The Foresters, meanwhile, failed to record a single free-position shot.
Denison averages 15.53 goals per game and allows just 8.67. DeVuono leads the way with 76 goals, while Mary Martinson has added 47 goals and a team-best 88 draw controls. Bridget Sheehy leads in assists with 34. In goal, Julianne Henigan holds a 9.13 GAA and a .479 save percentage. The Big Red force 211 turnovers, collect 349 ground balls, and clear at an impressive 85.1% success rate, making them a balanced and physical threat.
No. 5 Franklin & Marshall Diplomats (18-2)
Franklin & Marshall, the regional host and top seed in this pod, advanced to the NCAA regional semifinal for the 18th time in program history with a 15-11 win over Messiah. The Diplomats opened with a 4-0 run sparked by Lydia Cassilly's early hat trick and responded to a 9-9 tie in the third quarter with a 6-2 finishing kick, thanks to goals from Annie Marshall, Devyn Crone, and Claire Book.
Cassilly finished with five goals and an assist, while Marshall earned her first collegiate hat trick. F&M dominated the draw circle 19-11, led by Julia Carbon (8 draws) and Lauren Pittman (6). In goal, Sara DiGiovanni recorded 12 saves, anchoring a defense that limited Messiah to just three goals over the final 20 minutes.
The Diplomats average 13.80 goals per game while allowing only 8.05, and they've outscored opponents by more than five goals per outing. Pittman leads with 59 goals, followed by Cassilly (57g, 31a) and Crone (31g, 44a). Defensively, DiGiovanni boasts a .534 save percentage and 8.08 GAA. F&M holds a 295-203 advantage on draws, has caused 166 turnovers, and clears at an elite 87.2% rate.
Looking Ahead: The winners of Saturday's semifinal matchups will meet on Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m., with a berth to the NCAA Division III semifinals—hosted by Roanoke College and the City of Salem—on the line.
W&L BY THE NUMBERS
W&L Offensive Firepower
Offensively, the Generals are averaging 15.75 goals per game, paced by sophomore attacker
Hannah Van Son, a First Team All-Region selection who leads the team with 63 goals. First-year attacker
Lara Baki, named the ODAC Rookie of the Year and a Second Team All-Region honoree, has added a significant scoring presence, contributing 46 goals during her debut campaign. Their efforts have helped establish W&L as one of the most productive scoring offenses in the region.
W&L Midfield Dominance
In the midfield, junior
Emma Marsh and junior
Betty Boatwright were recognized with First and Second Team All-Region honors, respectively. Marsh leads the team with 79 draw controls, followed closely by senior defender
Cat Caples, who has recorded 78. The Generals' midfield unit has been instrumental in maintaining possession and executing transitions on both ends of the field. Boatwright has contributed consistently as a two-way midfielder, providing stability in both offensive and defensive phases.
W&L Elite Defense
Defensively, senior
Libby Ford has anchored one of the nation's top units. The ODAC Defensive Player of the Year earned First Team All-Region honors after totaling 39 caused turnovers and 58 ground balls. Caples, also a First Team selection, has provided leadership and tenacity on the back line along with senior
Sophia Caffrey. As a team, Washington and Lee is allowing fewer than seven goals per game, while junior goalkeeper Iman Hadded has started 21 contests, posting a 43.8 save percentage and a 8.47 goals-against average.
Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.
