MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — The No. 8 seed Bates women's lacrosse team concluded its 2026 season Saturday with an 18–6 loss at top-seeded and undefeated Middlebury in the quarterfinal round of the NESCAC Championship Tournament.

The Panthers (16-0) seized control early, opening a 4–0 lead after one quarter, and extending the margin to 10–2 with 3:20 left in the second, before Bates added a late goal to make it 10–3 at intermission.

The Bobcats generated a push in the third quarter. A goal from Lauren Wong to open the frame (9:40) and back-to-back finishes by Grace Yonchak at 5:13 and 4:02, respectively, trimmed the deficit to 11–6, but that would be as close as Bates would get. Middlebury answered with two late goals in the third and controlled the fourth, 5-0, to close out the result.

Wong and Yonchak led Bates with two goals apiece, while Samantha Collins and Emma Lavallee each added one. Caroline Keating dished out two assists for the garnet and white.

Virginia Avery recorded 12 saves in goal, logging 54:40 for the Bobcats. Raegan White garnered a save for Bates as the senior took over in frame for the final 5:40.

Haley Hamilton (Hamilton, Mass.) paced the victors with four tallies while Caroline Adams (Norwich, Vt.) registered five points (two goals, three assists) for Middlebury.

The Panthers now advance to host the NESCAC semifinals next Saturday against No. 5 seed Trinity. No. 2 Tufts will face No. 3 Wesleyan in the other semifinal, also at Middlebury.

Bates finishes its season at 7–9 overall.