PRINCE ATHLETIC COMPLEX – The University of Rochester women's lacrosse team outplayed #7 Ithaca College in the second half, but ultimately could not rally from a big first half deficit, falling 21-13 on Saturday afternoon in a Liberty League matchup at Fauver Stadium.
Seventh-ranked Ithaca keeps its perfect season alive, moving to 9-0 overall and 7-0 in the Liberty League with the win. Rochester, meanwhile, falls to 2-5 and 0-4 in the conference.
Ithaca took control in the first half, closing the opening 30 minutes leading 15-5. The Bombers trio of Madison Boutureira, Jacqui Hallack and Megan Motkowski accounted for two thirds of the visitors goals in the first half.
Mary Panepento scored Rochester's first four goals of the game while
Emily Voss had the fifth tally of the opening half for the Yellowjackets.
After intermission, Rochester responded strong, outscoring Ithaca 8-6, displaying some quick strike offense. Panepento scored just 11 seconds into the second half, the first of three straight from UR to cut the Ithaca lead to 15-8 after four minutes.
Smith led UR with four ground balls.
Over the next few minutes, the teams would trade goals back-and-forth, with Rochester responding with a goal shortly after Ithaca extended its lead. After Boutureira scored for Ithaca,
Kendra Jones found the twine less than a minute later.
Caroline Grant then scored for the Bombers, but it was UR's
Grace Crochiere to score in response. Alexa Ritchie then regained Ithaca seven-goal lead, but Crochiere notched her second straight 'Jacket tally just 45 seconds after.
Unfortunately for the Yellowjackets that was as close as they would get the rest of the way, with the high powered Ithaca offense ending up matching its second highest scoring output of the season. UR also had its second highest scoring output of the year.
Rochester's Panepento was the high scorer of the game, finishing with six goals and one assist for seven points. The goal and point totals were both career-highs for the UR senior, with the goal output ranking in the top-10 in a single-game in Yellowjacket lacrosse history. Panepento also got her six goals on just eight shots, while she added three ground balls and three draw controls.
Crochiere finished with two goals and four ground balls while
Zoe Sullivan had a goal and assist for UR.
Emma Little corralled five draws for UR, while
Paige Smith led the defense with four ground balls and two caused turnovers.
Ithaca's Hallack (5 goals, 1 assist) and Boutureira (4 G, 2 A) each had six points apiece, while Motkowski finished with five points (4 G, 1 A). Ritchie added four goals for the Bombers while Sydney Phillips scored twice.
It was a tough day for the goalkeepers as only seven saves were made combined between four goalies, while 34 goals were allowed. Mackenzie Schade finished with the win for Ithaca, while UR's
Carlie Bendavid took the loss.
The Yellowjackets remain home for their next game, a rematch with RIT next Friday at 4 pm. The home-and-home with the Tigers the following day will end UR's regular season schedule.
