MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Facing the undefeated, No. 1 ranked team in the nation on their home turf, the Colby College Women's Lacrosse team demonstrated remarkable resolve and a "never-quit" attitude on Saturday afternoon. Despite a challenging start against a powerhouse Middlebury squad, the Mules surged in the final quarter, outscoring the Panthers 4-1 in the fourth period to conclude the match with significant momentum.

Key Highlights:

• Fourth-Quarter Surge: The Mules dominated the final 15 minutes of play, showcasing their conditioning and mental toughness by outscoring the nation's top team in the closing frame.

• Verbesey's Natural Hat Trick: Junior Zoey Verbesey put on a clinical display of finishing in the fourth quarter, netting three goals to lead the Colby offense. Her scoring outburst served as a spark for the Mules' late-game rally.

• Playmaking from Podgorni: Sophomore Kristin Podgorni was the primary architect of the late comeback attempt, tallying two assists on Verbesey's goals and adding a ground ball and a caused turnover to her stat line.

• Greene's Impact: Senior Emma Greene remained a dual threat, providing the assist on Ainsley Burke's third-quarter tally before finding the back of the net herself in the final seconds of the game.

• Draw Circle Resilience: After a difficult start, the Mules' midfield unit made critical adjustments, winning the draw control battle 5-1 in the fourth quarter. Claire Banks (3 draws), Julia Maimonis (2 draws), and Ashley Smail (2 draws) were instrumental in securing the possessions that fueled the late scoring run.

• Defensive Stand: Junior Izzy Wang anchored the defensive effort with two ground balls and a caused turnover, helping the Mules hold Middlebury to just two goals total in the entire second half.

The Mules' performance in the final 30 minutes was a testament to their growth this season. After trailing at the half, Colby's defense tightened significantly, while the offense found its rhythm against one of the most defensive units in Division III. The Mules (7-5, 3-5 NESCAC) will look to carry the momentum from their strong second-half finish as they prepare for a critical mid-week Maine rivalry game.

Final Score: 
Colby: 5
No. 1 Middlebury: 14

Up Next: Colby will travel to Lewiston, Maine to face Bates College on Tuesday, April 15. The opening draw is scheduled for 7:00 PM.