Senior day is a special moment in the career of any college athlete, but for Colgate University lacrosse, this year’s ceremonies were tinged with urgency, with both the men’s and women’s teams in tight battles for the final spot in the Patriot League tournament.
Women’s lacrosse held its senior day on Saturday, April 4, honoring the contributions of eight members of the class of 2026 in a 20-16 victory over Lehigh. For senior Ella Bishara, who is second on the team with 29 goals, including five in Saturday’s win, sharing the moment with her fellow seniors made the day especially poignant.
“We’re genuinely best friends, and I think it’s pretty rare to have a group where everyone is that close,” Bishara said. “We had been looking forward to that weekend for a long time, and the rest of our team made it so special for us. It just reminded me how lucky we are — not only to have each other, but to be part of such a supportive team.”
A crucial member of a tight-knit senior class, Bishara looked back on her time at Colgate fondly, reminding future Raiders to focus on the journey, not just the final destination.
“I’ve learned to not get too caught up in the small things and to stay present, because everything can change so quickly,” Bishara said. “Enjoy every moment and don’t let the little setbacks take away from the bigger experience.”
Bishara has yet to progress past the Patriot League quarterfinals during her time at Colgate, and the Raiders will face a gauntlet to end the regular season, taking on the top three teams in the Patriot League standings in their final four games. Still, she is confident that Colgate will advance to the playoffs for the third straight season.
“We’ve been putting in a lot of work, both on and off the field, to make sure we’re prepared and executing at a high level,” Bishara said. “I think we just need to continue to give it our all.”
Women’s lacrosse faces a major test on Wednesday, April 15, as they take on Boston University in a game that could decide the final conference tournament spot. The men’s team finds itself in a strikingly similar position — seniors included.
With only two conference games remaining for the men’s lacrosse team, senior night was pressure-packed as well, as the Raiders continued their pursuit to defend last year’s Patriot League title. Entering the game on Friday, April 10, the Raiders sat only a half-game ahead of Lehigh in the Patriot League standings. Colgate took home a 9-7 win, giving the Raiders a major boost as they look to secure a playoff berth.
Despite their tenuous position, senior goalkeeper Jake Kozlowski said the team was able to stay relaxed leading up to the ceremony.
“I think this experience has been incredible,” Kozlowski said. “Being able to share Friday with such an amazing group of people means the absolute world to me.”
A major theme for this group has been constant growth and resilience. With only one Patriot League matchup remaining before the playoffs, which are set to begin on Tuesday, April 28, senior long-stick midfielder Ben Thomas preached togetherness as the season nears the finish line.
“We’ve been through a lot on and off the field, and that is no doubt the reason we are so close,” Thomas said. “From going 2-9 our freshman year to winning a Patriot League championship last year, we know that the guys on this team are all we have.”
Despite a slow start to the Patriot League season, Kozlowski remains confident that the Raiders, who won last year’s conference tournament as a fifth seed, can replicate their success as this campaign draws to a close.
“For us to make a run to the Patriot League championship again, we need to continue to do what we are doing,” Kozlowski said. “There’s no reason to switch up things that are proving to work and have worked in the past.”
The men’s lacrosse class of 2026 plays its final regular-season game on Friday, April 24, when they take on third-place Army West Point in a potential postseason preview. Colgate’s seniors have proven time and time again to be a tough group, and this mindset will be put to the test going forward.
