Coming off their big win against Rider University, Bison Women’s Lacrosse had high hopes going into their home matchup against Villanova.
The Bison started out strong with a goal from Alex Nesbitt ʼ26 not even two minutes into the game. The defense held strong, keeping their lead until 10:24 with a score from the Wildcats to tie the game. Taylor McClain ʼ25 helped the Bison reclaim a 2-1 lead, which was countered shortly after by two points from Villanova to end the quarter.
The game continued as the Bison attempted to reclaim the lead. Villanova’s goalie held strong, blocking multiple shots on goal by Nesbitt and McClain. The Wildcats led 7-5 going into the half.
With an assist from McClain, Ava Harris ʼ27 scored with just 1:18 left in the third quarter bringing the score to 10-8. The Wildcats followed with an intense end to the quarter, making three goals with just 32 seconds left on the clock. The scoring continued into the following quarter where the Wildcats put two more points on the board increasing their lead to 15-8.
It was a big game for Kat Reynolds ʼ28, who scored her first hat trick with the Orange and Blue. Reynolds played a tough game with multiple attempts at the net and scored two of her three points with just five minutes left in the competition.
Despite a major effort in the fourth quarter including an eight-meter point scored by Alice Boyce ʼ25, the Orange and Blue lost to the Wildcats 16-11, bringing their record to 1-2 this season.
While the outcome of the game may not have gone in the Bison’s favor, multiple players scored two goals including McClain, Nesbitt and Boyce. Aliza Thir ʼ25 contributed a point as well as two assists.
Goalie Colleen Kazanjian ʼ25 made 12 saves compared to the three made by the Wildcats. The whole defensive line played a strong game. Jess Leon ʼ26 had three caused turnovers, and Kiera McClanahan ʼ27 added four more to the Bison’s 13 total for the game. Leon along with Kate Hearns ʼ28 secured three ground balls each.
Draw controls proved to be critical in the outcome of today’s contest. Villanova came out on top, gaining possession for 22 of the 29 draws and leaving the Bison with only seven. However, the Orange and Blue dominated when it came to free position attempts making five of their six, while Villanova managed just one of their seven.
Up next, the Bison will face Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg on Saturday, Mar. 1.
