The Virginia Wesleyan University women's lacrosse team fell to Berry College, 7-6, in their opening game of the 2026 season.
Kenna Duplechin and
Reese Morgenthaler led the offense with two goals each. Duplechin scored twice on free-position attempts, while Morgenthaler added two goals, including one in the fourth quarter. Goalkeeper
Melissa Dolt recorded multiple saves to keep the Marlins within one possession late.
Berry opened the scoring on a man-up goal in the first quarter. Duplechin answered with a free-position goal, and Virginia Wesleyan took a 2-1 lead on a player-advantage opportunity. Berry scored late in the quarter to tie the game at 2-2.
Virginia Wesleyan regained the lead in the second quarter and went ahead 4-3 after Morgenthaler found the net with under three minutes left in the half. Berry scored in the final seconds to send the game into halftime tied at 4-4.
Berry opened the third quarter with a goal before Duplechin tied the game at 5-5 with her second free-position score. Berry responded with two straight goals, including a man-down goal, to take a 7-5 lead into the fourth.
Morgenthaler scored early in the fourth to cut the deficit to 7-6. Virginia Wesleyan earned a late free-position attempt, but Berry held on for the win.
