HARTFORD, Conn. – The Neumann University Women's Lacrosse team battled Franklin & Marshall College in the first round of the NCAA Division National Tournament but fell by a final score of 21-4.
Franklin & Marshall showed why they were going to be a tough challenge for Neumann as they rattled off the only seven goals of the first quarter. After three more Diplomat strikes,
Alena Catka made Neumann program history at the 8:39 mark of the second quarter as she scored their first-ever NCAA tournament goal with a player-up. With just under six minutes left in the half,
Maggie Miller pulled Neumann within eight on an assist from
Ainsley George. Less than a minute later, Catka made it a 10-3 game with her 64
th goal of the season. Franklin & Marshall ended the Knights' run, re-establishing a 10-goal lead at the break.
They continued to push forward with the first goal of the third before Miller scored her 28
th of the season. Two more goals for the Diplomats would give them a 16-4 lead after three. They would close out the game with five more goals in the fourth.
Catka and Miller each scored twice with Catka grabbing a game-high nine draw controls. She also had two caused turnovers.
Rachel Roane had three ground balls and three draw controls with
Sarah Kiraly making 12 saves in goal.
Neumann finishes their historic 2026 season at 9-9 and will look forward to building on their first conference title and NCAA National Tournament appearance in 2027.
