CLAREMONT, Calif. – The 15th-ranked Trinity College women's lacrosse team faced off against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Tuesday evening, securing a hard-fought 12-10 victory over the Stags. With the win, the Bantams improved to 3-2 on the season, while CMS dropped to 4-4.

Alex Lesko led the flock for Trinity, recording four goals, one assist, and one ground ball. Kelsey Restivo followed closely behind with three goals and one ground ball, while Kealey Zito contributed two goals, one ground ball, two caused turnovers, and one draw control. Defensively, Samantha Hark was a force with four caused turnovers and four ground balls. In net, Olivia Aguirre tallied 11 saves for a .524 save percentage, facing a season-high 24 shots in the win.

Restivo netted two in the opening frame, including a player-up tally at 12:11 to put the Bantams ahead 2-1. CMS quickly responded, as Kaia Scott netted the equalizer to tie the game at 2-2, a score that held through the remainder of the opening frame.

Trinity took control in the second quarter, with Lesko and Zito potting two goals each to give the Bantams a 6-2 lead at halftime. Both of Lesko's goals were assisted by Brooke Kurts, who leads the team with 11 assists this season.

The Stags mounted a strong comeback in the third quarter, scoring five goals to narrow the deficit to 9-7 with 1:45 remaining. However, Restivo found the back of the net in the final 20 seconds to push Trinity's lead back to three entering the final frame, 10-7.

Lesko continued her dominant performance in the fourth, scoring just under two minutes in off an assist from Grace Denious. She added her fourth goal of the night at 4:48, bringing her season total to 10. CMS's Ava Goldson netted the Stags' final goal at 3:28, but the Bantams held strong to close out the 12-10 win.

CMS held a slight 24-21 edge in shots, while Trinity controlled the ground game, collecting 20 ground balls to CMS's 14. The Stags earned nine free-position shots but converted only three, while Trinity capitalized on two of their five opportunities.

The Bantams return home to host Williams College on Friday, March 21, for a NESCAC showdown under the lights, with a 6:30 p.m. start time.

TRINITY ATHLETICS