MIDDLETOWN, CT. – Running back 10 goals in the second half of a season-high scoring frenzy, the Wesleyan women's lacrosse team dominated Bates College in a 19-6 NESCAC conquest on Saturday afternoon as they were led by Becca Dibble '26, Mya Waryas '26, and Kiara Tangney's '25 hattricks from Smith Field.

The Cardinals (7-1 overall, 3-1 NESCAC) left the Bobcats (6-4 overall, 2-3 NESCAC)with little breathing room as they jumped to a four-goal lead to open the first quarter. Tangney put the Cardinals up by two, scoring the opening goal on a free-position attempt just a minute before she notched her second goal from down the center. Alix Riley's '25 dart from out left as she came down the arch cushioned the Cardinals with Sam DeLeo's '25 man-up opportunity from the 15-meter arch closing the run.

Finally reaching the board, the Bobcats cut the score, but it was caught on the front side of a turnover goal by Dibble. Bobcats goalie Raegan White was picked off by Waryas on a clear attempt, Waryas finding Dibble at the left post. The Bobcats would close the first quarter with back-to-back goals in the final minute.

Even with Cardinal goals highlighting the second quarter, the Bobcats' offense picked up to force the Cardinals to their toes just a bit. Waryas put away two consecutive goals in the first five minutes of the quarter, scoring on an awarded free position first. Caught in a scrum in front of the goal, Waryas landed a bounce pass behind White on a hasty shot attempt. Elle Priesing '26 caught White off on a low shot, but it was Addie Cummings '26 that sent the Cardinals into the half with a 9-4 lead with another free-position tally.

The third quarter was nothing but Cardinal celebrations as the team ran six unanswered goals and followed with two more in the final quarter in an eight-goal tear. Dibble was goal 10 on the match, tossing from the 8-meter. Tangney's goal a minute later fell over the shoulder of White and into the corner. Priesing landed a heavy-handed shot prior to Waryas scoring a short-handed goal in the fourth minute. Awarded a free-position, Lindsey Diomede '26 entered the scoring wave to begin the running clock with the 10-goal lead. Pinning White to the crease, Riley notched her second goal from the line, giving the Cardinals a 15-4 lead.

Sandwiching between four Cardinals goals, the Bobcats brought their total to six in the final quarter. Dibble and Cummings headed the final charge, giving way for Kyra Brown '26 and Piper Dionne '28 to cement the season-best victory, and the second 13-goal deficit set by the Cardinals against the Bobcats in two years. The 2024 meeting ended in an 18-5 finish.

Waryas finished the game with three goals and an assist. Priesing noted two goals and two assists with a team-leading five shots on goal. Molly Simon '26 clinched three groundballs and three caused turnovers.

Izzy Weintraub '26 earned the win, but all three Cardinals goalkeepers, including April Rowe '26 and Maggie Keller '28, combined for four saves. White finished with 14 saves in the opposing net.

The Cardinals return to action on Saturday, March 29, when they host Middlebury at 12 p.m.