WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team opened up the 2026 season on Wednesday night, making the 30-minute trip to Otterbein. Following a slow start, the Battling Bishops surged in the second half to secure a 12-7 win.

The Red and Black start the season 1-0. Otterbein drops to 1-1.

The Bishops drew first blood just 36 seconds in as Julia Kingsly opened her collegiate career with a goal. The one-goal lead lasted for almost exactly 10 minutes before Otterbein tied it up at the 4:40-mark. 

The second quarter got off to a rocky start with four straight goals from the Cardinals, making it a 5-1 game. OWU would finally stop the bleeding with 4:24 remaining in the half with Brie Colangelo's first goal of the season, courtesy of an assist from Tiffany Trinh. Ohio Wesleyan scored another a minute late at the 3:19-mark via a free position goal by Emma Reynolds to make it a 5-3 game at the half.

The Battling Bishops surged ahead in the second half, beginning with four goals to start the third quarter. First, Sam Frary put the Bishops within one with her first score of the season at the 10:19-mark. Colangelo then tied it up at 5-5 about a minute-and-a-half later with her second of the game. Next was Kingsly at the 6:10-mark with her second of the game to put OWU ahead 6-5. Finally, Lila Hall netted her first career goal with 4:05 remaining in the quarter, coming off an assist from Colangelo. Otterbein got one back just before the buzzer, making it 7-6 entering the final 15 minutes.

The Red and Black finally cruised away in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Cardinals 5-1. Colangelo closed it out with a hat trick in the final 15 minutes alone, tying her career high with five goals in the game. Reynolds and Hall both nabbed another as well, bringing the final scoreline to 12-7.

THE NUMBERS
The Battling Bishops were the more efficient team despite being outshot 26-24, putting 16 on goal and 12 in the goal.

Ohio Wesleyan was 17-for-25 on clears, directly causing 13 of Otterbein's 22 turnovers and picking up 19 ground balls.

Brie Colangelo led the Bishops with a career-high five goals, adding two assists for seven points. She also had two ground balls and one draw control.

Emma Reynolds scored two goal and picked up one ground ball.

Julia Kingsly and Lila Hall made the most of their collegiate debuts, both scoring twice. Kingsly also had a ground ball while Hall had a draw control.

Sam Frary scored once and collected one draw control.

Tiffany Trinh recorded two assists and tied her career high of five ground balls along with two causing two turnovers and securing two draw controls.

On the defensive end, Madeline Lundin led the Red and Black with four caused turnovers. Also making an impact was Isabel Milner (2 CT, 2 GB), Abbie Grogan (2 CT, 2 GB), Shae Cretu (1 CT 1 GB), and Jaelyn Cooper (1 CT).

Morgan Leeper (1-0) goes down with the win in the boxscore with a win in her collegiate debut in the cage. She played the second half and made five saves. Autumn Reed also made her collegiate debut in the cage, getting the start and making four saves in the first half.

UP NEXT
The Battling Bishops head to New Wilmington, Pennsylvania on Monday for a 5:30 p.m. faceoff with Westminster.