Colby College’s Ally Franz (5) takes a shot on the University of Southern Maine’s Cece Racine (33) on April 5 in Waterville. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

WATERVILLE — The Colby College women’s lacrosse team is scoring goals in bunches this season.

After a tough 0-3 start to the season, the Mules (9-4) won nine consecutive games before dropping a 17-5 decision to defending Division III national champion Middlebury College on Saturday. Colby has scored 177 goals during that span, for an average of 13.62 goals per game, fourth-highest in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. Colby boasts two Division III All-Americans in senior attacks Annie Eddy — fourth in the NESCAC with 38 goals — and Gianna Bruno, who is fourth in the conference in points (52) and leads the NESCAC in assists (33).

“We have so many threats on attack,” Bruno said. “That’s awesome, because we can move so well, be so fluid and create so many opportunities.”

If that wasn’t enough, the Mules have five players who have scored 20 points or more: Bruno (52), Eddy (40), Elizabeth Hennessey (33), Paige Saudek (27), Ally Franz (24) and Julia Jardina (22). Saudek, a freshman attack from Baltimore, Maryland, has scored 25 goals this season, ensuring the Mules will continue its success with goal-scoring beyond the 2023 season.

“The (scoring) wealth is definitely shared, which is awesome,” Bruno said. “Paige is just a freshman, but she doesn’t play like a freshman. I think it’s so cool to see these girls come from places where lacrosse is really competitive, step into another competitive league like the NESCAC and really step up to the plate.”

Colby College’s Gianna Bruno (11) scores on University of Southern Maine’s Cece Racine (33) April 5 in Waterville. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

“We really enjoy balancing out the attack and watching other people step up,” Colby head coach Karen Henning said. “Annie and Gianna have been a strong contingent, but then (Hennessey), Ally, Julia, you kind of name it. They’re focused on just scoring, not individual scoring and that’s making a huge difference.”

Even if one of the top scorers is out, the Mules still find a way to rack up goals. In a 14-3 win over the University of Southern Maine on April 5, Eddy missed the contest due to a leg injury. Nine different players found the back of the net for the Mules, with Franz, Jardina, Cami McDonald, Ali Gill and Kins Helmer each tallying two goals.

“We always say, ‘Got your six,’ that’s our team motto this year,” said Gil, a junior attack. “It really comes down to every ground ball, (every situation) where we have each other’s backs. I think everybody makes each other better in practice by just pushing each other.”

The Mules’ success isn’t shocking. Last season, Colby finished 16-4 and reached the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III tournament before falling to NESCAC foe and eventual national champion Middlebury. What may be surprising, however, is how loose the Mules are. In their win over USM, Colby players were dancing along with the post-goal music, partly to stay warm from a freezing rain, but also in support of their fellow teammates getting in on the scoring opportunities.

Colby College’s Gianna Bruno (11) is announced before a game against the University of Southern Maine on April 5 in Waterville. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel

“Including myself, we are the weirdest group of people ever,” Gil said. “Our energy, we don’t go too deep ever, we don’t go down the rabbit hole. We have so much positivity on our team. We have so much fun at practice. It’s a social time, where we’re just playing with our best friends and we’re so, so close. It’s just the best time ever.”

“I think that’s what we need,” Henning said. “Sport is supposed to be fun. There’s too many other things in the world that is causing stresses. This should be your outlet. If this causes more stress, it’s not worth it. We’re competing, we want to win. But we want to enjoy the process. We don’t want to be tense about it.”

The Mules have two games left in the regular season, both at home. They host Trinity College at noon on Saturday, then host rival Bates at 6 p.m. on April 26.