After reaching the Elite Eight in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Washington and Lee women’s lacrosse team is looking to build on that success with another strong postseason run.
Nine senior Generals graduated in 2024, and six of them were elected to first team All-ODAC. After losing a talented group of seniors, younger players needed to rise to the challenge, so they did.
Lara Baki, ’28, and Dagny Tombaugh, ’28, have made an immediate impact upon their arrival in Lexington. Baki is putting together a stats-filled first year for both assists and goals for the team. Tombaugh is leading the team defensively, and was awarded Old Dominion Athletic Conference defensive player of the week on March 31.
Despite a bit of a slow start to the season, losing three games to ranked opponents – No. 4 Franklin & Marshall College, No. 9 Gettysburg College and No. 16 York College – the women’s lacrosse team remains undefeated in ODAC games.
“If focus or teamwork is lacking for a few days, the captains may hold a team meeting where everyone can share honestly and vulnerably their feelings and frustrations, and we can communicate together on how to overcome these challenges,” said Ciara Smith, ’27. “After these meetings, our team energy and positive vibes are restored, and our team goals are clarified.”
The Generals are hitting their stride as they’ve won five of their last six games, dropping only one game to No. 2 Tufts University on March 21.
Players said they are currently atop the ODAC standings at 8-0 in conference play and are in good position for a strong playoff run.
Hannah Van Son, ’27, and Sophie Edwards, ’26, are a large part of the Generals’ offense that has propelled their recent success. Van Son and Edwards currently lead the team in points, combining for a total of 67.
The Generals narrowly beat No. 21 Denison University 10-9 on their senior day, March 30.
“We have suffered a couple of difficult losses recently and were really looking to implement all we have discussed in practice and film into this game against Denison,” said Caroline Foster, ’25. “During the first half of this game, our awareness of each other’s strengths and adaptability let us charge forward and capture a win.”
The team then traveled to Virginia Beach on April 1 to compete against its ODAC rival, Virginia Wesleyan University. The Generals won the game 21-1, with Brianna Benoit, ’25, Baki, and Van Son leading the team, each scoring three goals.
“We’ve had some harder games this year, but I think it’s been very beneficial in helping us learn and preparing us for when the games get even tougher,” said Edwards.
The Generals are looking to have a strong finish in their regular season games. They will play three more games against ODAC competition before they travel to No. 16 Christopher Newport University. The CNU game will complete their regular season on April 26.
