PRINCE ATHLETIC COMPLEX – The University of Rochester lacrosse team has shown they have a knack for playing close games so far in 2026, but unfortunately the Yellowjackets came up short in a 15-14 loss to Liberty League rival Ithaca College on Wednesday afternoon at Fauver Stadium.
 
URochester's defeat is its first in four conference games this season, as the 'Jackets fall to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in Liberty League play. Ithaca improves to 6-2 with the win, and also now sits at 3-1 in the conference.
 
The game was back-and forth throughout. The Yellowjackets took the early 3-1 lead behind three straight goals in the opening six minutes. Rose Bunting and Sara Mendelson both scored with a player advantage, while senior Alyssa Gorny made it 3-1 with a score off a feed from teammate Jenna Ufberg.
 
Ithaca and Rochester each traded two goals the rest of the period and after one quarter, the Yellowjackets held a 5-3 advantage. Anna Rogers beat the buzzer in the first with a player-down tally.
 
In the second, the Bombers outscored the Yellowjackets 6-3, taking a 9-8 lead into halftime. The key stretch for Ithaca was four straight goals, including two with a player advantage to go from two goals down, trailing 7-5, to two goals up, at 9-7. Lily Cody scored twice in the run for Ithaca, while Taya Dukes and Kathryn Scallon added goals in the key stretch of the game.
 
Bunting scored late in the half for the Yellowjackets, making it a one-goal margin heading into intermission.
 
Neither team could score for the first six minutes of the third, until URochester's Allison Weiden found the net off a pass from Loreli King to level the score at 9-9.
 
Ithaca responded with three of the next four goals, including two by Scallon, to stretch the lead back out to two, 12-10 with two and a half minutes left in the quarter.
 
Gorny scored her third of the game with just 32 seconds remaining in the third to make it a 1-goal game at 12-11 heading into the final stanza.
 
Back-to-back early goals in the fourth from Leigh Naturale pushed Ithaca in front by three, with the Bombers seemingly gaining control of the contest.
 
The Yellowjackets fought back though, scored three straight over the next five minutes to tie the game up. Weiden scored to make it 14-12, and less than two minutes later Sam Kinch notched a goal to trim the lead to one.
 
With just under seven minutes on the clock, Rogers scored her second of the game to level the match back up.
 
After the Rogers goal, the Yellowjackets secured the draw control and looked to take the lead. Bunting fired a shot wide and later on, the possession ended with a turnover caused by Ithaca's Dukes.
 
At the other end, a foul gave the Bombers a free position attempt, but Kelly Augeri's shot ricocheted off the crossbar and out of bounds, giving the Yellowjackets the ball on the chase.
 
The Yellowjackets next possession ended with a bad pass and turnover, giving the ball back to the Bombers.
 
Ithaca converted this time, with Sydney Smith scoring her fourth tally of the season to grab the 15-14 lead with three minutes left.
 
Another shot caromed off the crossbar on Ithaca's next possession, which chewed up 90 second of clock. Ufberg caught the loose ball and headed the other way for the 'Jackets.
 
After a UR timeout, Ithaca clamped down defensively over the final minute and a half, not allowing the 'Jackets to get a shot off on that last possession, holding on for the victory.
 
Gorny finished with a game-high seven points for URochester, tallying three goals and four assists. She added six draw controls to lead the 'Jackets.
 
Both Bunting and Weiden ended with hat tricks, while Rogers finished with two goals and an assist. Ufberg and Jenna Kessler each picked up three ground balls and two caused turnovers.
 
In goal, Isla Ablin was terrific, making a season-high 14 saves.
 
For the Bombers, Cody led the way with five points, notching three goals and two assists. Scallon finished with four goals, while Dukes had three. Naturale also had five points on two goals and three helpers. Cody led all players with nine draw controls in the game.
 
URochester remains home for its next contest, with SUNY Geneseo coming to Fauver Stadium for a 5 pm matchup on Saturday evening.