ITHACA, N.Y.—The Ithaca women's lacrosse team (9-4) wrapped up its first undefeated regular season at home since 2004, beating William Smith (6-6) 16-7 Tuesday. The Bombers' win was their biggest against the Herons since a 16-4 victory in 1983 and marked their third win in four games against William Smith.
Ithaca's defense held the Herons – who had averaged just under 13 goals per game – to seven goals, including a stretch of 29:56 when the Bombers outscored William Smith 7-1.
Senior Kylie McClure (Upper Arlington/Columbus, Ohio) and junior Katie Hurley (Honeoye Falls-Lima/Honeoye Falls) both scored four goals. With 137 career points, McClure is now 15th on the program's scoring list. Hurley moved into the top 20 by raising her total to 124.
Sophomore Nicole Borisenok (Albany Academy for Girls/Watervliet) added four points on a pair of goals and two assists. Freshman Tracy Rivas (East Meadow/East Meadow) contributed three goals.
The teams traded goals for the first 15 minutes with the Herons tying the game at 1-1 and 2-2. Hurley's first goal jump-started Ithaca's 7-1 run that covered the last half of the first period and the first half of the second. She added another goal during that stretch with Borisenok, McClure, Rivas, freshman Kimberly Armbruster (Montville/Boonton, N.J.) and junior Alison DeCirce (Binghamton/East Amherst) adding goals.
A pair of Heron goals 14 seconds apart pulled William Smith to within 9-5 midway through the second half but the Bombers scored four straight to wrest control back.
DeCirce finished with three points, including two goals. Armbruster recorded two points.
Senior Courtney Dowell (Massapequa/Massapequa) won her third straight start, recording eight saves and a team-leading four ground balls.
Senior Katherine Bixby (Germantown Friends/Philadelphia, Pa.) caused a pair of turnovers. Senior Kassie Garfield (The Wheeler School/Cuttyhunk Island, Mass.) raised her career total to 55, good for eighth all-time at Ithaca.
The Bombers, who have already clinched the Empire 8 regular-season title and the right to host next month's conference tournament, close out league play at Nazareth Saturday.
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