Box Score

Utica, NY – Skidmore College scored three goals in a span of less than two minutes late in the second half to help the Thoroughbreds pull away from host Utica College, 9-6, in women's lacrosse action Wednesday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. 

The contest marked the season opener for both squads.  Abbie Hamlin, Lauren Madden and Leslie Stebbins each chipped in with two goals apiece for the visitors, while Janet Campo and Kaitlyn Banker each tallied a pair of goals for the Pioneers.

Skidmore (1-0), which was receiving votes in the IWLCA preseason national poll, managed a slight advantage in the shots column (20-18), and earned possession on 12-of-17 draw control opportunities to help limit the Pioneers' offensive attack. 

The Thoroughbreds jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the first 17:51 of the contest behind tallies from Hamlin, Summer Segalas and Brittney Dioneda. Campo netted two first half goals to help keep the Pioneers in the contest.  Her second goal of the game cut the Pioneers' defecit to 3-2 with 5:56 to go in the first half. 

Skidmore was able to manage three goals in a span of 1:37 late in the first half and the Thoroughbreds held a 6-3 advantage at the intermission. UC got back in the contest midway through the second half when it posted two goals in just over a minute to cut the visitors lead to 6-5 with 10:44 to go in regulation.  Banker netted her second of the evening off an assist from Campo before freshman midfielder Megan Kane ripped a low free position shot to pull Utica within one goal. The goal marked the first of Kane's collegiate career.  

Skidmore was able to answer with three straight free position tallies from Hamlin, Stebbins and Christy Sutherland to seal the victory late.  Freshman Samantha Gebler added a free position goal with 2:59 to go for Utica to close out the scoring on the afternoon. 

UC goalie Shelby Barbay stopped nine shots between the pipes for UC, while Rachel Klein made four saves in net for the Thoroughbreds.  Barbay also chipped in with a game-high eight ground balls.

Ali Evans made her presence felt for Skidmore by posting five ground balls and three caused turnovers. 

The Thoroughbreds return to action on March 12, when they take on Claremont-MS in West Palm Beach, Fla.