PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The top-seeded Trinity College Women's Squash team will kick off their 2025 College Squash Association (CSA) Championship campaign with a 11:00 AM quarterfinal matchup against #8 Cornell University on Friday, March 7th.
The Bantams enter the CSA Championship with a 15-1 record and their 18th consecutive New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championship title. On February 9th, Trinity defended their NESCAC crown with a clean sweep in all three matchups, defeating Wesleyan University (9-0), Williams College (9-0), and Tufts University (9-0).
Trinity has consistently featured four athletes at the top of their ladder, with rotations in the top three spots. Senior Malak Moustafa has posted a 6-4 record on the season in the number 1 spot, with a career record of 36-17. Senior Jana Safy, who has excelled in both the #1 and #2 spots, is 12-3 on the season and holds a 52-18 career record. Senior Noa Romero and junior Kara Lincou have shared time in the #3 position. Romero has a 13-3 season record, with an 18-3 career mark at Trinity. Prior to joining the Bantams, Romero had an 18-6 rookie season with the Dragons and a 6-6 record in her sophomore year. Lincou has posted a 13-2 record this season, bringing her career tally to 38-7.
Two Bantams have tallied 15 wins this season: seniors Janna El Ashmawy and Lulu Palacios Benitez. El Ashmawy is currently undefeated at 15-0, with a career record of 67-4, the second-highest career win total on the Trinity squad, the senior is currently #1 in the nation. Palacios Benitez also boasts 15 wins, with just 3 losses, and leads the team with 70 career victories and 10 losses.
Trinity had five members qualify for the CSA Individual Championships, held in New York City from January 25-27. Kara Lincou, Noa Romero, Jana Safy, and Hannah Chukwu competed in the Ramsay Cup Bracket, which featured the top 32 women's squash players. Due to an injury, Malak Moustafa had to withdraw from the tournament, and Lincou stepped in to take her place. Lulu Palacios Benitez returned to the Holleran East Bracket, having won the 2024 Holleran East title. Despite a strong performance, Benitez fell 3-1 in the finals to Yale's Mika Bardin, earning a runner-up finish.
The Bantams' only loss of the season came at the hands of #3 Princeton University on January 12th. At the time, Princeton was ranked 4th in the nation, and the Bantams were narrowly defeated 5-4 in a gritty, hard-fought match.
Trinity will look to defend their title for the second consecutive year as they take to the courts this weekend.
TRINITY ATHLETICS
