SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – In a Liberty League field hockey showdown between top-15 opponents, host Skidmore College defeated the University of Rochester 2-1 on Friday afternoon.
 
Entering the game, Rochester was ranked #13 in the latest Division III coaches poll while Skidmore was one slot behind in #14.  The loss drops UR to 13-3 and 3-2 in the Liberty League while Skidmore moves to 11-4 and 4-1 in conference.
 
The visiting Yellowjackets had the first crack at getting on the scoreboard, getting three shots and one penalty corner in the opening five minutes, two of which came off the stick of freshman Emma Schlechter and a third from Sayaka Abe that was saved by Thoroughbred keeper Elizabeth Coughlin.
 

Skidmore would then answer with the opening goal of the contest in the ninth minute with a tally from Seely Fancher off a pass in the circle from teammate Miranda Davenport.
 
At the break, Skidmore would hold the 1-0 lead while shots were even at 3-3.
 
In the second half, the Thoroughbreds would get a couple scoring chances early, gaining two penalty corners and two shots on goal in the first seven minutes.  Both corners led to the shots, one of which was saved by UR goalkeeper Kiran Sundaram and the second which was cleared off the line for a defensive save by freshman Colleen Maillie.
 
Shortly after, UR's Claire Dickerson pulled the Yellowjackets even at 1-1.  Dickerson was able to one-time a long pass from teammate Maya Haigis into the cage for her ninth goal of the season.
 
Ten minutes later Skidmore would score the game winner when Davenport deflected in a shot from teammate Kayla Rose.  The goal came following a Thoroughbred penalty corner in which Meaghan Lynch's initial shot was blocked away.
 
Rochester's Abe nearly pulled UR even two minutes after Skidmore took the lead, but her shot following a penalty corner was cleared from the goal mouth by Skidmore defender Krista Lamoreaux for a defensive save.
 
UR made one final push, earning a penalty corner in the Skidmore zone as time expired, but the Abe shot attempt from the top of the circle sailed wide of the goal.
 
Overall in the game, UR's Gabrielle Cantley started in goal and did not make a save while Sundaram played the second half and made one stop.  Coughlin was credited with two saves in goal for Skidmore.
 
Rochester returns to action on Sunday in the final Liberty League game of the season, with the Yellowjackets hosting St. Lawrence at Fauver Stadium in a match starting at 3 pm.