SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – A strong second-half run by ninth-ranked Trinity was too much for the Skidmore College women's lacrosse team, as the Thoroughbreds fell to the Bantams by a 15-9 score, in non-conference action at Wachenheim Field on a cold and windy Thursday evening.
 
Skidmore (1-1) drops its first contest of the season. Trinity (1-0), ranked ninth in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division III poll, wins its season opener.
 
It was a strong effort for the Thoroughbreds early on, jumping on the Bantams with goals from Emily Hirsch and Cas Szwajkowski to take a 2-1 lead. After Trinity tied the game at two, the Thoroughbreds scored a pair of goals in 2:49, as Szwajkowski and  Shelby Boland helped Skidmore to a 4-2 lead at the 18:31 mark. Both teams would trade goals, with Skidmore holding a 5-3 lead with 10:19 remaining in the half.
 
Trinity flipped the script from there, scoring four goals in a row to end the half, including a pair of goals in the final 25 seconds. The Bantams swung a 5-3 deficit into a 7-5 halftime lead.
 
Skidmore had one final push in them, as LaBeau opened the half with a pair of goals to tie the game at seven. Trinity turned the defensive pressure up in the final 20 minutes, keeping Skidmore away from the attacking end as the Bantams outscored the Thoroughbreds 8-1.
 
LaBeau led Skidmore with a pair of goals and assists for four points. Szwajkowski and Hirsch each scored twice. Hirsch also caused two turnovers. Grace Connerty and Boland also tallied two points each, scoring a goal while adding an assist. Amanda Orvis and Zoe Rafalowski-Houseman each added an assist.
 
Caroline Kenlon had a stellar effort in net despite the loss, keeping Skidmore in the game with 16 saves. She also added 10 ground balls and stopped 6-of-8 free position shots.
 
Lilianna Khosrowshahi led Trinity with four goals and two asissts. Sophie Berger also had six points, scoring three goals and three assists. Kendal Milligan, Mary French, Samantha Booma, and Marcella Filbotte each scored twice. Gabriella Young made eight saves in the victory.
 
Trinity outshot Skidmore by a 39-22 margin and won the draw control battle, 16-8.
 
Skidmore will play in much warmer conditions in its next two contests, traveling to Englewood, Fla. for a pair of games during spring break. The Thoroughbreds will host Westfield State on Monday at 1 p.m., then will take on No. 21 Haverford on Thursday, March 14 at 10 a.m.