Mules Earn NCAA Tournament Win in Opening Round of Action
Competing in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second straight year, the 24th ranked Colby Women's Soccer team defeated Montclair St. 2-0 in the opening round on Friday afternoon.
Jane Maguire put the Mules on the board late in the first half, and Amanda Schneider doubled the lead in the 65th minute off a setup from Abigail Jarvi. Both sides finished with 13 shots, but the Mules generated seven on target and controlled the match throughout to secure the shutout and move on to round two.
The next day, Colby’s postseason run came to an end with a tight 1-0 loss to host #18 MIT. The Engineers capitalized on a first-half penalty kick, and despite the Mules' seven shots and four on frame, the equalizer never materialized. Colby battled to the final whistle and closes its season with an 11–5–3 record.
The Mules will be back in action next fall looking to gather another impressive season.
Volleyball Advances to NESCAC Championship for Second Straight Year
With a five-set victory over Williams in Friday's semifinal match, Colby advanced to the NESCAC title game for the second straight season. Facing a fierce Tufts team in Saturday's championship, Colby fell 3-1 to earn NESCAC Runners-Up honors.
Williams had the upper hand to start Friday's semifinal match. The Ephs took the first set 25-21 and held the advantage late in the second, but the Mules fought back to win the second frame 27-25 only to have Williams bounce back with a third set win. With their backs against the wall, Colby showed grit and determination to dominate the fourth and then the fifth sets in impressive fashion (25-11, 15-6).
Brady Moseley collected 20 kills to lead the Mules and Cyanne Jones had six blocks at the net. Colby was fantastic from the service line tallying 12 aces, including four from Sydney DeProfio and three apiece from Gabby Grujic and Reese Loyd.
In Saturday's title match, the Jumbos and Mules met nose to nose, splitting the first two sets before a strong finish by Tufts to take the final two sets. Moseley led Colby with 11 kills and Alli McKenney tied a career-high with 19 digs.
Colby is now 23-3, ranked #4 in all of Division III, and received news Monday afternoon that they were selected to return to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. Colby will return to Middletown (Wesleyan is the regional host) to open tournament play Thursday against Marymount (17-16).
Men's Team, Grant Make NCAA Championship Cut
After qualifying as a team to the NCAA Championship in three straight years (2019-22), Colby's Men's Cross Country team will be returning to the championship event in 2025 after placing third out of 32 teams at the NCAA East Regional this weekend. Ada Grant will also be representing Colby from the women's team after placing 23rd in the field of 216 competitors.
MEN'S TOP-5 8K RESULTS (top-20 earns All-New England honors, Top-35 earns All-Region):
- 9th - Chris Gould, 24:45.0
- 18th - Danny Reyes, 25:07.9
- 20th - Stephen White, 25:16.7
- 23rd - Henry Reichle, 25:19.8
- 34th - Eli Ziegler, 25:39.3
WOMEN'S TOP-5 6K RESULTS (top-20 earns All-New England honors, Top-35 earns All-Region):
- 23rd - Ada Grant, 22:23.8
- 34th - Abbey Wolfe, 22:42.3
- 53rd - Kintla Thomas, 23:17.5
- 57th - Maria DiBari, 23:23.8
- 69th - Alexandra Herman, 23:49.2
The National event will take place on November 22nd at the Roger Milliken Center in Spartanburg, S.C. The Men's race will kick off at 10:00am followed by the women's race at 11:00am.
ALL-NESCAC Teams Announced for Field Hockey, Women's Soccer
Swimming & Diving Open 25-26 with Historic Victories at Amherst
The Women's Swimming & Diving team collected its second win in a row against Amherst on Saturday (the only two wins against the Mammoths in program history), and the Men's team topped Amherst for their very first win against the NESCAC foe. Both matchups came down to the final event with Colby winning both 200-yard free relays to claim victory.
The women's team won two relays and had individual event winners in five other races.
WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL EVENT WINNERS:
- 200yd Medley Relay - Tahlia Crowley, Kellen Mottl, Lexi Asch, Eliza Marco
- 200yd Freestyle Relay - Zoe Buzzelli, Lucy Mackey, Marco, Crowley
- 100yd Backstroke - Crowley
- 100yd Breaststroke - Mottl
- 50yd Freestyle - Marco
- 100yd Freestyle - Marco
- 200yd Backstroke - Zoe Fencil
The men's team also won two relays and had individual event winners in eight other races.
MEN'S INDIVIDUAL EVENT WINNERS:
- 200yd Medley Relay - Brandon Xiong, Shepard Kerscher, Alex Ruckel-Bekefi, Ethan Chang
- 200yd Freestyle Relay - Amaan Siddiqui, Xiong, Chang, Brandon Morrison
- 1000yd Freestyle - Brendan Kirberger
- 200yd Freestyle - Siddiqui
- 100yd Backstroke - Xiong
- 50yd Freestyle - Xiong
- 100yd Freestyle - Siddiqui
- 200yd Backstroke - Breacan Shea
- 500yd Freestyle - Kirberger
- 100yd Butterfly - Morrison
The Mules will head to Hartford on Sunday to face off against Trinity and Hamilton.
Men’s Ice Hockey Opens Season with Back-to-Back Conference Wins
The Mules began their season at home with two impressive victories over NESCAC opponents to kickoff the 2025-26 campaign.
On Friday, Colby blanked Williams 3-0, scoring all three goals in the third period. James Tepper opened the scoring with an early third-period goal, followed by Connor Gallagher and Noah Carpenter, giving the Mules a decisive finish. Cooper Rautenstrauch kept Williams off the scoreboard, stopping all 27 shots faced, while the team’s disciplined defensive play (20 blocked shots) limited scoring opportunities and controlled the pace of the game.
Saturday’s matchup against Middlebury was a more intense affair, with physical play leading to numerous penalties throughout the contest. Colby jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Will Soloway, scoring just 11 seconds in, and Colby Browne with his first collegiate goal. Jayden Grier's unassisted tally in the third gave Colby a three-goal edge, and proved to be the game-winner. The Panthers netted two third period goals but tremendous defense kept the sheet clean in the final minutes. Colby once again totaled over 20 blocked shots (25) and Rautenstrauch secured 33 saves.
Colby will be back at home this Saturday, November 22nd hosting the highly anticipated Colby vs Bowdoin matchup. Free digital ticket information can be accessed using the link below.
Women’s Basketball Starts Season in Dominate Fashion Hosting Gene DeLorenzo Tip-Off Tournament
The Mules opened the new season with two convincing wins on their home court this weekend.
On Saturday, Colby rolled past Dean College 103-47, shooting 56% from the field and 84% from the free-throw line. Kate Olenik led the balanced attack with 14 points, while Amelia Hanscom (13), Defne Pekinbas (12), Lauren Cho (10), and Caroline Hartley (10) also reached double digits. Strong defense, including 16 steals, and out-rebounding the Bulldogs 51 to 17 helped Colby control the game with ease from start to finish.
The following day, the Mules continued their hot start with a 71-48 victory over Wellesley. Olenik again led the team with 19 points, while Hanscom added 10 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. She even had six assists in the opening quarter alone. The Mules shot over 52% from the field, cruising to their second win of the tournament. With these dominant performances, Colby sets the tone for what looks to be a promising season.
The Mules will remain at home Thursday, November 20th hosting Rivier.
Men’s Basketball Begins New Era With Season-Opening Win over Rivier
Colby kicked off the 2025-26 campaign, and the first game under the new Richard L. Whitmore Jr. Head Coach for Colby Men’s Basketball Sean Rutigliano, with a 77–67 road victory in Nashua, N.H. on Saturday.
Dan Civello and Sam Hinman powered the offense with 20 points each, while the Mules shot an efficient 55% from the field and got 31 points from the bench. After a tight first half, Colby pulled away late behind improved second-half shooting that kept Rivier in check. To go along with his 20 points, Civello totaled four assists, three blocks and five rebounds. The victory gives the Mules a confident start as they begin the new season.
Colby will head to Thomas College on Wednesday, November 19th for the second game on their schedule.
Squash Battles Columbia to Begin 2025-26 Season
Hosted by Tufts, the Mules and Lions faced off Saturday afternoon looking to begin the season with a win.
The women's team came up short 8-1 with the lone victory coming from Laavanya Kugan in the one spot. She defeated her opponent 3-0. Nathalie Sim in the two spot battled hard but could not close out the 3-2 finish in her favor. On the men's side of competition Sebastian Campos in the six spot had the closest match but fell 3-1 as the team ultimately lost 9-0.
Colby will remain on the road next weekend facing MIT Saturday and Wesleyan on Sunday.
Special thank you to the photographers who helped make this production possible: Wendy Adam P'27, Bonnie Baker Photography, Stephen R. Clouthier, Alexis Coates '28, Traigh DeMasi '28, Steve Fuller @flyingpoint, Rob Hess, Nico Klementzos Photo, Peter Li '26, Jennifer Maguire P'26, Michael Maher, Logan Marku '28, Reese Robinson '27, Daryn Slover P'28, Marty Thornton Photos, Isadora Wells '26, Ansley White '26, and the Colby Communications team.