Box Score There's something appropriate about a player named Kelly scoring the game-winning goal on Saint Patrick's Day.

In Colorado College's first game of the season on Stewart Field, Steph Kelly struck for the deciding tally with 2:26 remaining in regulation to give the Tigers a 9-8 victory over Wesleyan University on an otherwise blustery Tuesday afternoon.

Displaying the composure of a seasoned veteran, CC's freshman attacker got behind the Cardinal defense and took a pass from sophomore midfielder Mary Taussig. Kelly drew goaltender Nina Labovich to her right and then reached back to score over her left shoulder.

On the ensuing draw control, Wesleyan sophomore attacker Meredith Smith was given a yellow card for a check to the head of Colorado College's sophomore midfielder Sadie Cole and the Tigers capitalized by running out all but the final 12 seconds with the extra player.

The Cardinals appeared to have taken their first lead of the game when sophomore attacker Liana Mathias converted on a free-position shot with 4:53 remaining, but the goal was waved off because of an illegal stick.

Ninety-six seconds later CC nearly went ahead, but a shot by senior attacker Iris Rayburn rang off the crossbar. Wesleyan's Leah Giacalone grabbed the ground ball, but her team's final possession of the game ended when Taussig drew a charging call which eventually resulted in Kelly's game winner.

In a contest that was tied five times, including three instances during the final 30 minutes, Colorado College never led by more than two goals.

Trailing 5-3 after 30 minutes, the Cardinals used tallies by Smith and sophomore midfielder Rachel Aronow to knot the score at 5-5.

Taussig and Cole struck for unassisted tallies just 44 seconds apart to give the Tigers another  two-goal lead, but Wesleyan countered with markers from Smith and sophomore midfielder Morgan Moubayed to tie the game at 7-7 midway through the second frame.

The defenses stiffened during the next 10 minutes and allowed only two combined goals, both of which were scored on free-position shots. Freshman attacker Annie DeFrino gave CC an 8-7 lead with 13:32 to play, while senior midfielder Leah Sherman found the net just over four minutes later for the Cardinals.
 
Taussig led Colorado College with three goals and an assist.

Junior goaltender Martha Smith made five saves for the Tigers, who squared their record at 4-4.

Cole, Taussig and sophomore defender Lydia Freliech each caused a pair of turnovers, while Kelly registered a game-high seven draw controls.

CC finished with a 26-23 advantage in total shots and an 11-9 edge in draw controls. Both teams grabbed 16 ground balls.

Smith led the Wesleyan offense with three goals, while Mathias struck twice and added an assist.

Labovich stopped 12 shots for the Cardinals, who slipped to 2-4.

Colorado College returns to action on Wednesday at 3 p.m. against Skidmore College.