SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A strong second-half performance by Hamilton was too much for the Skidmore College women's lacrosse team, as they fell 10-5 in non-league action, at Wachenheim Field on a chilly Wednesday evening.

Skidmore falls to 5-4 on the season, while Hamilton improves to 3-5.

After an evenly played first half between the two foes, Hamilton would pull away from the proceedings with a 5-0 run to begin the second half. Skidmore attempted to rally midway through, with Marisa Caponi breaking the goal drought with her tally at 12:55. 6:04 later, Emily Hirsch charged down the middle of the Hamilton defense, scoring unassisted to bring the deficit to four, at 9-5.

Skidmore began to clamp on the defensive end, forcing a few Hamilton turnovers on their own end, and would get a chance to cut into the deficit further, with the man advantage at 3:53. A free position chance by Hirsch was saved by Hamilton goalie Hannah Burrall, and the Continentials would score on the other end 1:17 later for the final margin.

Hirsch led the Thoroughbreds with a hat-trick, grabbing five ground balls and causing three turnovers. Caponi added a pair of goals. Natalie LaBeau, Shelby Boland, and Amanda Orvis added assists. LaBeau would also cause three turnovers and won three draws. Caroline Kenlon made six saves in the effort.

Tatiana Bradley, Courtney Pierre, and Skyler Simson each tallied a pair of goals to lead Hamilton. Burrall would earn the win in cage, making 10 saves.

Hamilton would begin the game with a goal at 22:26. The Thoroughbreds would answer with a goal by Hirsch at 21:55, tying the game at one. Hamilton would score two to bring its lead to 3-1, with Hirsch responding with her second goal of the game, at 11:24, cutting the deficit in half.

Hamilton would bring the lead back to two, before Caponi responded for Skidmore with her goal at 4:55, as Hamilton held a 4-3 lead. The Thoroughbreds had a chance on a pair of possessions to knot the game at four in the final minute of the first half, but were denied each time by the Hamilton defense. The Continentals outshot the Thoroughbreds 15-9 in the second half and held an 8-1 advantage on draw controls to pull away.

Hamilton led on the total shot count by a 24-21 margin. The Thoroughbreds would force 28 Hamilton turnovers in the contest. Hamilton was 26-for-32 on clear attempts, with Skidmore converting on 25-of-30 attempts.

Skidmore will look to bounce back on Saturday, returning to Liberty League action at home against Bard College, at 3 p.m.