HARTFORD, Conn. — The No. 11-ranked Bantams fell to top-ranked Middlebury College, 13–8, in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Semifinals. Trinity drops to 12–5 on the season, while the Panthers improve to a perfect 17–0. The Bantams now await their fate regarding hosting status for the first round of the 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Tournament.

What Happened

• Middlebury controlled the opening quarter, outscoring Trinity 4–1 and holding a 5–2 edge in shots on goal. The Panthers struck just one minute into play on a player-up opportunity following a yellow card issued to Trinity's Kaeley Zito.
• Zito responded at 6:38 with Trinity's first goal, converting off an assist from Kelsey Restivo in a player-up opportunity, despite the early setback.
• Five minutes into the second quarter, the Bantams surged with a 3–0 run. Charlotte Troy netted back-to-back goals before Zito added another to even the score, 4-4.
• The teams remained deadlocked at 4–4 for much of the quarter until 1:11 before halftime, when first-year Lily Acerra capitalized on a free-position attempt to give Trinity its first lead, 5–4. Middlebury answered in the closing seconds to send the game into halftime tied at 5–5.
• In the third quarter, both teams traded goals and were tied again at 7–7 five minutes into the half. Trinity goals came from Alex Lesko and Acerra. However, two Middlebury goals came during player-up situations following green cards issued to June Trodden.
• The Panthers seized momentum late in the quarter, scoring three unanswered goals to take a 10–7 lead into the final period. Trinity's Zito received her second yellow card of the game late in the third quarter and was disqualified following stick contact to the head.
• Trinity struck quickly in the fourth quarter, as Sarah Marvin scored just 30 seconds in off another assist from Restivo to cut the deficit to 10–8. Middlebury responded with three straight goals to secure the 13–8 victory and a spot in Sunday's NESCAC Championship game.

Inside the Numbers

• Shots: Trinity 17 | Middlebury 30
• Turnovers: Trinity 11 | Middlebury 19
• Ground Balls: Trinity 13 | Middlebury 18
• Clears: Trinity 18-for-20 | Middlebury 18-for-18
• Free-Position Shots: Trinity 1-for-2 | Middlebury 3-for-5

Goalkeeping

• Trinity: Ali MacDougall (L, 11 saves, 13 GA)
• Middlebury: Elizabeth Savage (W, 5 saves, 8 GA)