SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A strong defensive effort late by the Skidmore College women's lacrosse team led to a narrow 10-9 victory over Babson, in Skidmore's home opener at Wachenheim Field Sunday afternoon.
 
Skidmore improves to 1-1, while Babson drops its first game of the season to fall to 1-1. The Thoroughbreds will next host Utica on Wednesday at 4 p.m., while Babson hosts Bates on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
 
Seven different Skidmore players tallied goals. Cas Szwajkowski, Anna Boogaerts, and Tyler Phillips each tallied two to lead the Thoroughbreds. Amanda Orvis, Natalie LaBeau, Allison Byrne, and Louisa Vincent each tallied a goal to complete the goal scoring. Orvis tallied two assists, and Boogaerts, LaBeau, Szwajkowski, and Gianna Muscari each added an assist.
 
Phillips sits just two goals shy from tying Skidmore's all-time goals mark of 155, set by Liza Gorman in 2004. She moves into second place on the all-time list with 153, tied with Kimberly Segalas.
 
On the defensive end, Szwajkowski led the team with five ground balls. Szwajkowski, Phillips, and Rachel Talanian each picked up four draw controls. Megan Kolopsky picked up the win in net, stopping 14 shots and picking up two ground balls.
 
Taylor Herrmann scored three goals to lead Babson. Francesca Giovanucci tallied two goals, and Emily Bresnahan, Lyndsay Giroux, Katie McKenna, and Charlotte O'Halloran each added a goal. O'Halloran completed a five-point game with a game-high four assists.
 
On the defensive side, Taylor Drakeley picked up four ground balls and caused two turnovers. Stevie Burger was the goalie of record, making three saves in the first 30 minutes of play. Olivia Phelan made five saves playing in the second half.
 
Skidmore got into gear early, with quick goals by Szwajkowski and Orvis giving the hosts a 2-0 lead in the first six minutes. Babson broke the scoring drought with two quick ones of their own, with Giovanucci and Bresnahan scoring 2:42 apart to tie the game.
 
The Thoroughbreds dominated in the middle stages of the half, scoring four goals in a row, capped off by a free position goal by Boogaerts to take a 6-2 lead. The final 2:19 of the half was a wild one, with each team trading two goals, including a Szwajkowski strike from just outside the crease to beat the buzzer, leading to an 8-4 halftime lead.
 
Skidmore increased the lead to 10-6 in the second half, before Babson methodically made its run. McKenna and Giroux tallied goals to reduce the deficit to two, then Giovanucci struck to make it a 10-9 game with 2:45 left in regulation. The Thoroughbreds tried to ice the game away, but Babson forced a key turnover with 1:18 remaining.
 
Coming out of a timeout, Babson attempted a clear, but Orvis provided pressure on the Beavers ball handler, forcing her into a key turnover with 59 seconds remaining. Skidmore then iced the game, holding onto possession to win.
 
Skidmore converted on 17-of-20 clears, and outshot Babson 29-24. Skidmore also held Babson to 0-for-2 in free position shots.