Ithaca 12, Utica 4 - Box Score

Utica, N.Y. (4/5/2011) – The Ithaca College women's lacrosse team outscored host Utica College 7-1 in the second half on its way to a 12-4 victory in Empire 8 Conference play Tuesday afternoon at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The Pioneers (4-3, 1-2 E8) were seemingly unable to get their offense going and they were outshot 34-8 over the course of 60 minutes.

Senior attack Lily Fleskes (Dover, MA/Dover Sherborn) led the way for the Pioneers with two goals, while classmate Julianne Schultheiss (Commack, NY/Commack) added one goal and one assist. Sophomore Tracy Rivas, senior Ali DeCirce and junior Nicole Borisenok each netted three goals to help the Bombers (5-2, 3-0 E8) remain undefeated in conference play this season.

The Bombers, who have now won four out of their last five games, jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first 1:45 of action behind goals from DeCirce and Borisenok. Fleskes responded for the Pioneers with two straight goal in less than three minutes to knot the score at 2-2 with 18:33 left in the first half of play.

Ithaca went on to score two more goals in a span of 36 seconds to earn its two goal lead right back at the 13:59 ledger of the first half. Both teams exchanged goals in the final five minutes of the first half and the Bombers held a 5-3 lead as the halftime horn sounded.

Ithaca spread seven consecutive goals over the course of 22 minutes in the second half to pull away from the Pioneers. Rivas and DiCirce netted two of their game-high three goals in that span to help the Bombers earn the eight goal victory.

Utica junior Katlyn Banker (Henrietta, NY/Rush-Henrietta) closed out the scoring with her ninth goal of the season with just under one minute to play in regulation. Senior Kelley Fullerton (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) assisted on the Pioneers' lone goal of the second half.

Senior defender Kasey Lederle (Central Square, NY/Paul V. Moore) caused a game-high five turnovers and scooped up four ground balls for the Utica defense, while two-time Empire 8 Conference Goalie of the Week Shelby Barbay (Waterloo, NY/Waterloo) added 12 saves in her third loss of the season. Barbay also chipped in with a game-high eight ground balls.

Kim Armbruster, Katie Hurley and Rachel Maley each netted one goal for the Bombers, while Abby Peterson picked up a team-high five ground balls and caused four turnovers on the defensive end.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday when they travel to RIT for a key conference contest at 3:30 p.m. The Bombers will remain on the road when they travel to nationally-ranked No. 10 Stevens Institute of Technology for a pivotal Empire 8 contest at 12 p.m.

                                                                 --- www.ucpioneers.com ---