Wesleyan's win seemed narrow in comparison to results of nine other first-round games today, as the bracket narrowed to 32 teams in mostly decisive fashion. Six games were decided by double digits and two more, No. 15 Tufts' defeat of FDU-Florham and No. 11 Cortland's defeat of Plymouth State, came via identical 17-8 scores. Four teams ranked in this week's Nike/US Lacrosse Top 20 moved on easily.
Morrisville State battled Westfield State for about 15 minutes before the Owls pulled away to a six-goal lead at multiple points throughout their 17-12 win in Gettysburg, Pa. Alexa Tonelli had three goals and three assists to pace Westfield State, champion of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, to its second NCAA tournament victory. The Owls' reward is a second-round matchup with the defending national champion Bullets.
First-Round Scoreboard
No. 7 Washington & Lee 27, Cabrini 7
No. 11 Cortland 17, Plymouth State 8
No. 12 William Smith 18, Endicott 8
No. 15 Tufts 17, FDU-Florham 8
Wesleyan 13, No. 18 Messiah 10
Meredith 20, Merchant Marine 9
Springfield 24, Elms 3
Westfield State 17, Morrisville State 12
Babson 17, Castleton 4
Catholic 23, Johnson & Wales (R.I.) 10
One second-round game was played, and it matched the theme of the first round. Denison ran away from Calvin, 21-4, and only seemed slowed by two 50-minute lightning delays in securing a berth in next weekend's third round.
The Big Red got four goals from Kiely Noonan and multiple-point performances from several players. Jane Goodspeed extended her career program-record with 98 caused turnovers.
Sunday's games will determine partcipants in the round of 16 next Saturday (interactive bracket).