Courtesy of Yale Athletics

The Yale women’s lacrosse team (3–0, 0–0 Ivy) have started the season off on fire, winning its first three games. 

After taking down University at Albany 16–14 last weekend, the Bulldogs took their momentum back to Reese Stadium for a Tuesday matchup with cross-town rival Quinnipiac (2–1, 0–0 MAAC). Yale was winning by as many as seven goals in the third quarter. A late comeback by the Bobcats was not enough to overtake the Bulldogs, as they ultimately won 13–12. 

“As a team we are always looking to improve in different areas,” Meghan McCarthy ’25 said ahead of the Quinnipiac game. “We really need to capitalize on taking every opportunity possible to go to the cage, along with finishing our shots.” 

The first quarter was fairly uneventful with Quinnipiac unable to score until the final seconds of the period. Yale entered the second quarter leading 3–1 and extended its lead to 7–3 at the half. 

After four third-quarter goals from Olivia Markert ’22, the Bulldogs wrapped up the period leading by four. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Elis were up 12–8. 

With a solid lead and time winding down, head coach Erica Branford benched some of her headliners so the rookies could have the chance to take the field. However, the Quinnipiac team scored four unanswered goals to tie the game up at 12. 

The Bulldogs were in trouble and Markert was checked back in. She scored the final goal of the game with three minutes and 38 seconds remaining in regulation to help the Bulldogs secure the 13–12 win. This was a historic game for Markert as she recorded seven goals and one assist, achieving a total of eight points. 

“The entire team is extremely excited for the start of Ivy League play,” Alex Hopkins ’25 said. “We are looking forward to Saturday and hope to build on the success we have had on the field so far.” 

The Yale women will start off Ivy League play this Saturday when they travel to Hanover to take on Dartmouth (1–1, 0–0 Ivy). 

Although this will be the Big Green’s home opener, the momentum is not on their side. The team is coming off of a jaw dropping 20–3 defeat at the hands of No. 4 Stony Brook University. The Dartmouth team is led by midfielder Katie Elders and attacker Lucy Murray who each have three goals on the season. Goalkeeping has been an area where the Dartmouth team has struggled with starting goalie, Luzi Tamer, currently holding onto a 26.7 save percentage. 

“We learned a lot about ourselves that we’ll use going forward in the season and as we prepare for our first Ivy League game on Saturday against Yale,” Dartmouth head coach Alex Frank told Dartmouth Athletics.

Yale is in a great position to enter conference play this week where tensions and implications are heightened. Dartmouth should be expecting a tough challenge this weekend from the talented and well prepared Yale team. 

The Bulldogs will be facing off against the Big Green on Saturday, March 5 at noon in Hanover. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.