The Ithaca College women’s lacrosse team took home yet another key Liberty League win on April 13 against the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers. The Bombers swept up the Engineers in a 20–5 win during one of the rainiest games they may have had yet this season.
During the first half, both teams came out swinging. The Engineers were the first team to score as graduate student midfielder Megan Shay hit the back of the net within the first two minutes of the game. The Bombers offense was having some trouble getting open and making space, but that was quickly resolved when senior attacker Maizy Veitch scored her first goal of her five total during the matchup.
Alongside Veitch, junior midfielder Lexi Kellish and sophomore midfielder Leigh Naturale, also racked up three goals each for the Bombers.
Naturale said she did not overcomplicate things and that, along with her teammates’ support, played into her performance.
“I think I played well because I didn’t overthink and I had my teammates supporting me and believing in me which made me believe in myself and be confident as well,” Naturale said.
The first half held many turnovers as the Bombers’ defense forced the Engineers to give up possession 12 times. However, the Engineers defense was not letting the Bombers get to that net as easily, but that was still not enough to stop one of the best offenses in the Liberty League.
The Engineers played tough, however it was not enough to out-play the Bombers, as they had been playing stronger and faster, leading to the Bombers ahead 9–4 entering the second half.
Naturale said the Bombers started out slow, but through the team’s connection they were able to get back on track.
“We started out flat at first but then we huddled and said let’s just play our game,” Naturale said. “We connect really well and try to uplift each other constantly, which makes everyone confident and connected.”
The second half was completely dominated by the Bombers. The team racked up another 16 points from Naturale, Kellish, Veitch, senior midfielder Caroline Wise and sophomore midfielder Lily Cody.
The highlight of the second half was when first-year midfielder Kelly Augeri made her playing debut for the south hill squad and scored her first collegiate goal as soon as she ran out onto the field. Throughout the half, Augeri continued to be a strong player alongside her teammates as she caused one turnover while also helping bring the ball to the Bombers’ side to score. Augeri is the first first-year student to have had minutes so far this season for an upperclassmen heavy squad.
The Engineers were not able to overcome the Bombers’ determined play and the Bombers were left to run out the clock yet again in a 20–5 victory.
The Bombers will next play at 4 p.m. April 19 at Higgins Stadium for a Liberty League matchup against Vassar College.
