MEMPHIS, Tenn. – While a tally did not get added to the win column for John Carroll Women's Lacrosse, the process was there.

The Blue Streaks have plenty to be happy about in a 1-goal loss in the first game of the spring break trip to Tennessee.

A late comeback effort fell short in a 13-12 defeat to Rhodes College on Wednesday afternoon. 

From start to finish, the Blue Streaks competed with a strong Lynx team that is off to a 4-0 start to the season and reached the Southern Athletic Association's tournament final in 2025.

Mea Musillo started off the scoring with a tally less than 90 seconds into the game off an Anna Vaccarelli assist. The teams then exchanged goals, with Kathleen Cagney scoring JCU's second, to head into quarter #2 all tied at 2-2. 

After the Lynx scored to go up a goal, cards became a factor. Mary Grace Godleski and Musillo both notched woman-up goals, though Rhodes countered with 5:30 to play. The 4-4 score stood at half. 

Abby Cassisdy got the scoring started early in the third, with Musillo's second woman-up goal pushing the advantage to two goals. But then the Lynx rattled off a huge 4-0 run over a four-minute stretch. Rhodes never relented the lead.

Musillo stopped the bleeding with a goal off a Vaccarelli pass, but the Lynx authored a 3-goal run to fire ahead, 11-7. Thankfully for JCU, Vaccarelli and Riley Knapp both scored in the final minute of the third to narrow the gap to 11-9.

The hosts notched two goals to make the gap 13-9 with 9:51 to play. The Blue Streaks did not wilt under the pressure of the deficit. Vaccarelli started the rally midway through the period, with Anna Spitzer firing up a goal two minutes later. Godleski got JCU within one, firing home a huge goal with 1:48 to play.

A turnover and green card sunk JCU in the waning moments, though Knapp fired one on cage with time expiring. JCU showed no signs of quit in a game with a myriad of cards and fouls.

Musillo continues to impress, as the first year led the scoring with 4 goals and 1 assist. Vaccarelli enjoyed a breakout game, as the sophomore netted 2 goals and 3 assists. Spitzer and Cagney both tabbed 3 points. 

Jill McDonnell helmed the defense with 3 caused turnovers and 4 groundballs, both team highs.

Rachel Kroeger made 6 saves in the first three quarters before yielding to Josephine Lawler. The senior stood tall in the final 15 minutes, making 8 saves and allowing just 2 goals to keep the visitors in the game.

Next Up
John Carroll will remain in Memphis, with Thursday off to recuperate and enjoy the warmth before returning to action on Friday. The Blue Streaks will play another SAA stronghold, Sewanee, at 12 pm ET / 11 am CT in a neutral game at Rhodes.