POTSDAM, NY – Host Clarkson University used a late three-goal run and made a slim lead stand up in earning a 12-9 victory in a Liberty League lacrosse matchup on Saturday afternoon at Hantz Field.
 
The loss drops Rochester to 4-4 overall so far on the 2024 season, with UR sitting 1-2 in Liberty League play. Clarkson (8-1) continues its strong start to the campaign and is still unbeaten at 3-0 in conference play.
 
Rochester's leader on Saturday was graduate student Emily Schillinger who had three goals and an assist for four total points. Anna Rogers added a hat trick while Grace Crochiere, Alyssa Gorny and Lorelei King each notched one goal.
 
On defense, Ava Saffren made seven saves for the Yellowjackets while both Crociere and Abbey Smith had two caused turnovers each. The pair also led UR in draw controls, combining for nine of Rochester's 13 for the day.
 
Clarkson was able to hold Rochester to just one goal in the opening 15 minutes, jumping out to an early 3-1 lead. Rogers provided the score for the Yellowjackets at the 5:02 mark of the first period.
 
In the second, UR scored three of the first four goals to pull even at 4-4 following Gorny's tally with 9:42 left in the half. Rogers and King also scored in the run for the 'Jackets.
 
Just before halftime, Clarkson's Hailey Millington scored off a feed from Julia Lavarnway to give the Golden Knights a 5-4 lead at intermission.
 
Rochester's Crochiere found the back of the net off a pass from Gracie Giannettino to make the score 5-5 early in the third, but a green card shortly after gave Clarkson possession and it used the advantage to regain the lead less than a minute later.
 
Schillinger scored her first of the day to once again pull the Yellowjackets even on the scoreboard, but Clarkson was able to respond right away with a tally from Lavarnway to ignite a key stretch that ultimately proved to be the difference.
 
From the 9:56 mark of the third to the 9:55 mark of the fourth, Clarkson ended up going on a 5-1 run which boosted its lead to 11-7. Madelynn Barnum scored two player-up goals in the stretch, while Lavarnway had a goal and two assists during the run.
 
UR tried to mount a late comeback with goals from Schillinger and Rogers, but the offense was unable to put enough together to pull back even on the scoreboard.
 
Rochester's next contest is set for next Friday at Vassar College. The next day, UR stays on the road with a league matchup at Bard College.