Yale Athletics

In the world of college sports, the Michigan Wolverines are often seen as an epic athletic powerhouse. Yet on Saturday in New Haven, their No. 4 women’s lacrosse team (1–1, 0–0 Big Ten) was no match for the Bulldogs (1–0, 0–0 Ivy League). In an explosive home opener, the Elis secured their first win of the season with an astounding 12–6 victory.  

Heading into the season, the Bulldogs had a lot to prove. After a record 17 wins last season — not to mention an Ivy League Championship, Tournament Championship and a pair of wins in the NCAA Tournament under their belt — they were ranked first in the Ivy League Preseason poll. 

The game’s start packed a punch with three back-to-back goals from Taylor Lane ’25, Fallon Vaughn ’25 and Ashley Kiernan ’27. After an attempted comeback from the Wolverines, putting them on the board 3–1, Jenna Collignon ’25 shut down the conversation with another two in the net. 

By the end of the first, the Bulldogs were already up 5–1. 

Despite a strong offensive push from Michigan, Yale held firm in the second period, maintaining their lead with key defensive stops. After the Wolverines opened the period with back-to-back goals, the Bulldogs responded, and Lane capitalized on an assist from Kiernan to keep momentum on Yale’s side. 

The Blue and Maize closed the gap to 6–4 by halftime, but Yale’s ability to control possession and force turnovers prevented the Wolverines from gaining too much ground. With solid defensive positioning and key draw controls, the Bulldogs ensured they stayed in command heading into the break.

After the half, the action continued. The Elis maintained their composure on the field and kept the Wolverines back despite some valiant attempts to tie up the score and bring the deficit down to a one-point game. 

Yale’s offensive depth was on full display during the period. A powerful, deep squad of seniors kept the momentum strong with goals from Vaughn and Taylor Everson ’25. Plus, sophomore Karina Herrera ’27 tacked on two unassisted goals on the board.

By the fourth, the Bulldogs had run away with their lead. With a stacked four goals in the back of Michigan’s net, plus a disciplined defense limiting Michigan to just three shots on goal, the Bulldogs secured a 12–6 victory. 

At the end of the game, goalie Cami Donadio ’25 was awarded the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week. With six saves, Donadio came up big in key moments, denying Michigan’s preseason All-America attacker Jill Smith twice—once on a close-range shot in the final 30 seconds of the third quarter and again on a free-position attempt at the 12:05 mark in the fourth.

With one win on the board, the Bulldogs are gearing up for round two. Yale and Quinnipiac, a pair of local rivals, will face off today, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m.