SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – The Skidmore College women's lacrosse couldn't overcome a strong fourth quarter closing stretch from Springfield to ultimately lose 13-11 in the home opener at Wachenheim Field on Wednesday afternoon.

Led by five first-half goals from senior Lily Schwartzman, the Thoroughbreds (0-2) controlled the game on both sides of the ball in the first three quarters to hold a comfortable 8-5 lead, which included shutting out the Pride (2-0) in the third period. However, the tide of the game quickly shifted in the final frame as the road team scored eight goals, with five being unanswered, to steal the win.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first period was a back-and-forth affair, with the Pride taking the lead three times, before Skidmore responded each time with goals from sophomore Charlotte Taylor, Schwartzman and senior Elizabeth Walsh to ultimately bring the game to a 3-3 after one quarter of play.
• Schwartzman doubled up Springfield in the second quarter by scoring four goals in the goal, including three unanswered to close out the half and give the Thoroughbreds an 8-5 lead at halftime. Three of the goals were assisted off the pass from sophomore Phoebe Ross, who finished the half with four.
• The Thoroughbreds scored the lone goal in the third on a solo score from junior Grace deBenedictis, while completely shutting out Springfield on the defensive end to take an 8-5 lead into the final frame.
• In the fourth, the Pride struck in the opening seconds before junior Julia Cafasso responded with a solo goal to keep the Skidmore lead at three goals, 9-6, with 12:27 remaining.
• However, Springfield quickly turned the game upside down by scoring five consecutive goals to take an 11-9 lead with 7:17 to go.
• Needing an answer to stop the run, Cafasso delivered once again in solo fashion to put the Thoroughbreds within one goal, 11-10, with 4:21 to go.
• That proved the closest Skidmore would get, as a lopsided 10-1 draw control advantage throughout the quarter kept the ball in the road team's possession down the final stretch, whom capitalized by icing the game with back-to-back goals to take a 13-10 lead with 1:48 left.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Schwartzman finished with a game-best five goals on seven shots-on-goal while also recording one caused turnover.
• Cafasso secured a hat trick to go with one ground ball and a caused turnover.
• Ross finished with a game-best four assists.
• Junior Allison Brewer recorded a pair of assists to go with two groundballs.
• Sophomore Hannah Nash led the team with three ground balls while also winning a pair of draw controls.
• Senior Jillian Lockwood recorded two draw controls, two ground balls and one caused turnover.
• Junior Isabella Iannone picked up 10 saves at goal.

UP NEXT
Skidmore is back in action at Wachenheim Field on Saturday to host New Paltz in a 1 PM matchup.