BYU Women’s Lacrosse Fell in Season Opener

The team dropped an 8-6 decision to Colorado Mesa University at Westminster College.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Other Sports

Expressive editorial sports illustration of lacrosse players in navy and maroon uniforms competing for a ball under stadium lights. — BYU women’s lacrosse fell 8-6 to Colorado Mesa University in their season opener on Thursday at Westminster College in Salt Lake City. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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BYU women’s lacrosse opened its season with an 8-6 loss against Colorado Mesa University at Westminster College. Despite a three-goal effort from Hannah Nelson, the team fell short in a hard-fought contest in Salt Lake City.

Why it matters

The loss highlights the challenges facing a rebuilding BYU roster, which features 14 new players following recent mission departures and graduations. The team is now working to improve ball transition as they look toward upcoming tournament play.

The final score was 8-6 in favor of Colorado Mesa University. The BYU roster includes 28 total players, with half of the group being new to the squad this season.

The players

Melissa Nash

She serves as the head coach of the BYU women’s lacrosse team.

Hannah Nelson

She is a player for BYU who recorded three goals during the season opening game.

The details

BYU utilized a specific defensive scheme and goalie play, but head coach Melissa Nash noted the team struggled to consistently move the ball from the defensive side to the offensive side of the field. This loss marks the third game of the season for Colorado Mesa University.

The season opener took place on October 3, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The team now plans to compete in tournaments across Texas and Arizona as they work toward qualifying for the national tournament. These matches serve as critical benchmarks for the roster as they aim for a top-10 national finish.

The loss leaves BYU at 0-1 as they move forward with a young roster that includes 14 new players. The coaching staff is now prioritizing on-field transition drills to prepare for upcoming regional tournaments.

The takeaway

Rebuilding efforts often lead to early-season growing pains while new teammates learn to coordinate on the field. Consistency in ball transition will be the key metric for the squad's improvement in the coming months.