There was celebration in Higgins Stadium as the Ithaca College women’s lacrosse team took down the Bard College Raptors 19–1 to secure the Liberty League regular season championship on a sweet Senior Day April 20. This marks a crucial step in the Bombers’ chase for a Liberty League title.
The first quarter was goal after goal after goal for the Bombers. Bombers’ sophomore attacker Leigh Naturale has become a staple starter on the team for her strong performance. Naturale brought in two goals during the first quarter and scored three total to lead a very evenly distributed scoring attack for the Bombers.
With Naturale was senior attacker Maizy Veitch, who was able to bring the ball up the field and get through Raptors’ defenders with ease, to score twice for the Bombers in the first. She also dished out two assists to help the Bombers emerge from the opening quarter up a startling 11–0.
Senior midfielder Sydney Phillips and sophomore attacker Lily Cody played a connected game with each other as they helped assist each other’s goals to increase the lead to 13–0. The Raptors finally got something on the board when junior attacker/midfielder Maggy Peyton responded to the two Bombers’ goals, although this would be the one and only goal the Raptors would be able to muster to make it 13–1.
The Bombers were just having fun with it in the second half. The Bombers refused to take their foot off the gas despite their commanding lead and added six more goals, soundly putting down the Raptors.
Veitch said she is excited about how the team has been playing and is even more excited for what lies ahead for them.
“We are so connected all around the field, and it makes me feel so proud and impressed with everything we have been able to accomplish as a senior class and team as a whole,” Veitch said. “I am very proud of all my underclassmen, and I can’t wait to see everything they do next year but for now, we are looking for a conference win.”
With the victory in hand for the Bombers, the team let some first-year players get their first collegiate minutes. First-year attacker Paige Smith made her debut in the fourth quarter and even scored her first collegiate career goal, which was the 19th goal for the Bombers.
Senior captain midfielder Caroline Wise said she feels the team has been playing together and the realization of the importance of the season is growing.
“I think our team has been playing very connected and disciplined and that showed this weekend,” Wise said. “There’s a sense of urgency that comes with being a senior knowing it’s your last season, I think that brings more intensity and energy into everything we do.”
With the win, the Bombers moved to 9–0 in Liberty League play, enough to take sole possession of the No. 1 seed in the Liberty League playoffs. This means the Bombers will face off with the number four seed in the Liberty Leagues semi-final on May 3 at Higgins Stadium and will have home field advantage if they advance to the championship game.
The Bombers will next square off with Hamilton College at 6 p.m. April 24 in Clinton, New York.
