After a disappointingly close 9-12 loss to Colby College, Wesleyan looked to rebound against non-conference opponents Howard University before closing out the season with four NESCAC games that will determine whether the team makes the playoffs. The Wes Women took full advantage of the tune-up opportunity as they cruised to a big 18-10 win over Howard. Hopefully, this momentum will carry over into the seasonal home stretch as the Cardinals vie for one of the last playoff spots.

When all was said and done, the final score was indicative of a team primed for a playoff run. Wesleyan easily handled a Howard team that did not appear to have come prepared for the Cardinal onslaught. By the end of the first half, the Cardinal offensive machine had dumped 11 goals, while only allowing four. At this point, the game was all but won.

“We played well,” said Lydia Kring ’13. “It was a lot of fun and great practice for our NESCAC games. We got to practice new things because of the lead, and we were able to learn a lot while playing.”

Kring was one of 11 different Cardinals who went on to score in the game, leading the team with three goals on the day (bringing her seasonal total up to 10) while Kayla Ellman ’13, Catherine Taibi ’13, Claire O’Brien ’12, Leah Sherman ’15, and Caitlin Daniels ’15 all contributed a multiple-goal game. Ellman and Taibi also added two assists each.

Unfortunately, as has come to be the story of the year for the Lady Cardinals, outside success did not translate into NESCAC games, as they lost the following contest to Bowdoin 18-7. Bowdoin controlled the pace of the game in both halves, posting nearly identical first and second half scores of 9-3 and 9-4, respectively. Bowdoin dominated shots 32-17, and was able to keep constant pressure on the Wes defensive end. Even so, Wesleyan managed a few goals. Kaylin Berger ’13 and Maddy Coulter ’14 each lead the team in points with three (two goals and an assist each) and team leading scorer Ellman added another goal to up her team-leading totals to 25 goals and 31 points.

With the loss to Bowdoin, it becomes even more imperative for Wesleyan to pick up a handful of victories in the last three NESCAC games of the year if they are to have any hope of making the playoffs. The hunt begins Tuesday, April 17 at 6:00 p.m. at home against bitter in-state rivals Trinity College.