Trinity Women’s Lacrosse Remains Undefeated at Home in 2026

Annika Haley ’26

Sports Editor

The Trinity College Bantams women’s lacrosse have had a strong start to their 2026 campaign, opening the season with a 7–3 overall record and a 3–2 mark in NESCAC play. The Bantams have protected their home turf with a 4–0 record, showing offensive power and defensive discipline as the season unfolds.

Trinity set the tone early in their season with an 11–8 conference win over Williams College on Saturday, Feb. 28 on the road. Midfielder Grace Denious ’26 led the way with a hat trick, helping the Bantams obtain an early 4–0 lead. After Williams battled back to tie the game at halftime, the Bantams responded with a decisive third quarter, scoring four unanswered goals to regain control of the game. The Bantams’ ability to capitalize on player-up opportunities proved critical in this match and set the tone for games to come. 

That momentum continued into their home opener against Union College on Wednesday March 4, where Trinity earned an 11–6 victory. After a close first half, the Bantams offensive power surged in the second. Denious (two goals, two assists) and attack Alex Lesko ’26 (three goals, one assist) led the offense, while goalkeeper Alison MacDougall ’26 recorded 10 saves. Contributions across the field, including draw controls, caused turnovers and ground balls, highlighted Trinity’s cohesion early in the season.

The Bantams continued their winning streak with a 9–5 conference victory over Bates College on Saturday, March 7 at home. Midfielder Kaeley Zito ’26 delivered a standout performance with a hat-trick and two assists, helping Trinity control the pace from the very start. The Bantams’ timely scoring runs and strong defensive efforts limited Bates’ opportunities. 

After some midseason challenges, Trinity bounced back in dominant fashion with a 17–7 non-conference win over Franklin & Marshall College. Trailing early, the Bantams responded with an offensive stretch, including a six-goal run that broke the game open. Attacker Kelsey Restivo ’27 led the charge with a career-high seven points (four goals, three assists), while attacker Lily Acerra ’29 added six points of her own. The game showed Trinity’s ability to adjust and overwhelm opponents with their offensive pressure.

The Bantams carried that momentum into a dominant 19–1 conference win over Connecticut College. Trinity’s defense was nearly impenetrable as they held the Camels to just four total shots, while the Bantam offense fired on all cylinders. Attack Caroline Lally ’26 played a key role in the victory with four goals. Lally’s ability to find space and finish on free-position opportunities highlights her importance as a veteran leader.

Reflecting on that performance, Lally emphasized the collective nature of the offense: “I think what it really came down to was the whole team creating great opportunities for each other. Our offense was moving the ball really well and finding open looks, which made my job easier. On free-position shots, I was just trying to stay composed and stick to what we practice. I think overall it was more about our offensive flow and everyone being in sync than anything individual. That’s something we have been working on this season, and it was really cool to see it all come together.”

Lally also spoke to the team’s growth over the course of the season and the culture that has fueled their success: “I think we’ve grown a lot in terms of trust and communication. Earlier in the season we were still figuring things out, but now we’re really starting to click and play for each other. As a senior, it’s been really rewarding to see that development. I think our success comes from our work ethic in practice and how supportive everyone is on and off the field. We love each other like sisters, and it shows.”

Across the board, Trinity’s success has been driven by a balanced attack featuring players like Restivo, Denious, Lesko, Zito and Lally, combined with a defense that consistently disrupts opponents and creates transition opportunities. Whether it’s capitalizing on player-up situations, controlling draws or stringing together scoring runs, the Bantams have shown they can win in multiple ways.

As the season progressed, Trinity’s undefeated record at home and strong positioning within NESCAC play set the stage for an exciting stretch run. With veteran leadership and emerging young talent, the Bantams are building a season defined by resilience, depth and momentum.