Box Score Colorado College is accustomed to racking up big offensive numbers. But on Thursday afternoon, the Tigers utilized a suffocating defensive effort to record a 13-10 victory over Wellesley College in their final home game of the 2016 season.

CC caused a season-high 19 turnovers, its most since a forcing 24 during a 20-3 victory over the University of Puget Sound on March 22, 2014, to thwart the Blue's comeback attempt.

Junior midfielder Mary Taussig scored three times during the first half to help the Tigers build an 8-2 lead with 11:01 to play.

After the teams traded goals during the next two minutes, Wellesley scored four in a row to pull to within 9-7 after junior midfielder Nikki Sharkin struck for the third time 5:40 into the second half.

However, the Colorado College defense dialed up its intensity and kept the Blues off the scoreboard for more than 13 minutes, giving its attack a chance to heat up.

Sophomore attacker Annie DeFrino and freshman midfielder Ellie Meyer scored 26 seconds apart to spark a four-goal burst that gave CC a 13-7 cushion with 12:31 remaining.

Wellesley added the last three goals, including a pair during the final 3:16, but that was as close as it could get.

Senior goaltender Martha Smith stopped five shots for Colorado College, which improved to 6-2.

Meyer led the defensive effort with a team-high seven ground balls and a season-best four caused turnovers.  

Taussig finished with six ground balls and matched her season high with five caused turnovers.

Junior midfielder Sadie Cole also forced five turnovers, which matched her career high.

With her assist on Taussig's first goal, Cole became the 19th player in program history to record 100 or more career points.

Kelly, who entered the contest ranked fifth nationally averaging 8.29 draw controls per game, grabbed a game-high 11. She reached double-digits for the fourth time this season and the seventh time in her career.

CC finished with a 30-16 advantage in total shots and won 19 of 25 draw controls. Wellesley registered a 37-35 edge in ground balls.   

Junior goaltender Wendy Nettleton made four saves during the first 9:56, but left the game after being hit by a Colorado College shot. Freshman Chloe Tucker stopped six shots in relief.

The Tigers will enjoy a nine-day break before returning to action on Saturday, April 2, at Occidental College in Los Angeles.