ITHACA, N.Y. – The 2020 Ithaca College women's lacrosse season is certainly one that will be remembered for a long time, both for its unprecedented start and its unprecedented early conclusion. For three weeks, the nationally-ranked Bombers put the country on notice that they would be a force to be reckoned with come May. However, with as fast of a start as IC got, the conclusion to the year came even faster, as COVID-19 put the country and most of the globe on lockdown.
 
IC Women's Lacrosse entered the 2020 campaign with an intriguing mix of experience, but also several question that needed to be answered. Boasting a three-player senior class of attacker Bailey Herr, midfielder Katie Welch and defender Becky Mehorter, as well as a large rising junior class, IC definitely was not short on experience. However, the graduation of the Class of 2019 last spring left Ithaca looking to replenish large amounts of statistical production, particularly in the attacking end where last year's seniors accounted for 214 points (143 Goals, 73 Assists). Although daunting from an outside perspective, IC's 2020 seniors really set the tone for the program throughout the year, leading to a seamless transition to competition that bore witness to one of the finest starts to a season in the program's 50-plus year history.
 
Ithaca certainly did not have an easy road during the early portion of the season, as the schedule boasted four opponents ranked in the IWLCA Preseason Top-25 Coaches Poll among the first five contests. However, from the opening draw against Nazareth on February 22, the Bombers were clinical in all phases of the game. A dominating 23-8 performance against the Golden Flyers set the tone for the imminent stretch of four consecutive ranked opponents. The momentum only built from there. Ithaca kicked off the run with a 17-8 whitewashing of then-No. 24 Scranton to improve to 2-0, jettisoning IC to a 2-0 record ahead of the three-game road trip.
 
The season really took a turn into something special when IC hit the road to face then-No. 22 SUNY Cortland in the road opener on March 1. The Red Dragons came into the contest winners of two straight in the series in 2017 and 2018. This season's match-up got off to an inauspicious start with Cortland racing out to a 6-1 lead in the first 10-minutes of action. However, the resilience of this year's installment of the Bombers showed its mettle, rattling off a 9-1 scoring run to close out the half en route to a 16-12 victory. That thrilling comeback win set the tone for the remainder of the abbreviated season, as IC dispatched then-No. 20 Brockport 14-10 on March 7, before crushing perennial lax power then-No. 15 Colorado College in a 21-9 runaway during IC's Spring Break on March 11. For which archives exist, it is the first time in program history that IC Women's Lacrosse has won four consecutive games against ranked opponents.
 
Sadly, that thrilling day on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado Springs would be the final time the Bombers took the field this season. Although the NCAA has recently announced a blanket waiver granting an extra year of athletic eligibility for all student-athletes competing in their primary season in the spring, the reality – especially at the Division III level – is that many seniors did not have the chance for the final send off they so richly deserved after years of hard work and sacrifice. The holds true for Ithaca's senior trio of Herr, Welch and Mehorter who will all finish out their degrees this spring and take the next step beyond IC. Today, April 17, would have been the Bombers' Senior Day contest – a home tilt against regional rival St. John Fisher – had it not been cancelled. The latest in our senior spotlight pieces would like to give special recognition to this senior class and the dedication it has given to the program.
 
Head Coach Karrie Moore begins our segment with a heartfelt message to this senior group.
 
"This senior class, Becky, Bailey and Katie, has epitomized the idea of 'team first' from the moment they stepped on campus as freshmen," Moore said. "They've embraced their roles on the team, whatever that meant for them personally, and have worked tirelessly to help instill a positive culture of support and growth. The core values of Compete, Grow, and Value are what they chose to guide their leadership this year. They have continuously asked themselves and our coaching staff: How can we compete more strongly and more consistently? How can we grow as individuals, teammates, and players? How can we make sure that everyone is clear on what we value and how much value each person brings to the team? I really can't emphasize enough the impact their leadership had on this season, from fall ball through the spring. Every year our program has marched forward on the progress made by each successive senior class and the work they've put in over their careers.  This senior class has certainly left their mark.  This team felt special – we kept saying it throughout the year – something just felt different. That is absolutely a testament to their leadership and care for this team."
   
 Herr will certainly will go down as one of the most prolific scorers to ever pull on an IC jersey. She made an immediate impact on the program dating back to her debut season, appearing in all 64 games for Ithaca over the past four years. Her scoring touch was evident from the beginning, as she amassed 22 goals and five assists during her rookie campaign. The best was yet to come.
 
Herr broke onto the scene as a full-time starter during her sophomore season in 2018. The increase in role definitely led to a sharp jump in production. She obliterated her numbers from the previous year, racking up 72 points on 46 goals and 25 assists. Her efforts netted Herr All-Liberty League Honorable Mention accolades to conclude her sophomore season.
 
Last spring was nothing short of record breaking for Herr. Emerging as one of the most potent players in the country from the 'x', Herr smashed the all-time single-season record for points – 92 set the previous season by Allie Panara '19 – finishing last spring with 97 points on 57 goals and 40 assists. The huge year netted Herr All-Liberty League First Team praise, as well as IWLCA All-Empire Region First Team recognition.
 
Her sophomore and junior campaigns had Herr positioned to potentially challenge for the program's all-time career scoring record. She was on pace to do so this spring, racking up 11 goals and 10 assists through five contests to bring her career totals to climb to fifth on the all-time list for points with 221 for her career. Unfortunately, we did not get to see if she would be able to chase down Panara's record 272-point mark this spring. Herr graduates ranked fourth among the program's top scorers in per game average with a 3.453 points per game mark. Herr's 141 career goals is good for eighth in program history, while her 80 assists rank fourth-most.


   
Like Herr, Mehorter has been a staple on the field for the Bombers dating back to her rookie campaign. She started all 64 games over the past four years for IC and has been a leader of the backline defense throughout that time. A lock-down defender in every sense of the word, she has helped the Bombers rank among the Liberty League's best in terms of caused turnovers and goal prevention throughout her time on South Hill.
 
The production came quickly for Mehorter, as she debuted with a fantastic season. She ranked second on the team with 36 ground-balls, while she also added 19 caused turnovers in helping the Bombers advance to their first-ever NCAA Round of 16 appearance. Her development continued as a sophomore where she began to dictate play beyond the stat sheet. Although her numbers included 20 ground-balls and 12 caused turnovers, teams would literally avoid channeling possession in her area of the field. She also chipped in on the offensive end with two goals and one assist for her first career points.
 
Mehorter continued to be a defensive stalwart during her junior campaign. She racked up 32 ground-balls and forced a career-high 25 caused turnovers to help the Bombers qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the second time during her time on South Hill. This spring was shaping up to be a special one for the decorated senior, as she already had eight caused turnovers and seven ground-balls through just a quarter of the year. Mehorter finishes her career with 64 caused turnovers and 95 ground-balls.
 
A standout student in the classroom, Mehorter has been a fixture on the Liberty League All-Academic Team throughout her career. She has also been honored as an IWLCA Zag Sports Division III Honor Roll achiever during her career.


   
Welch has seen action on the field dating back to her debut season with the Bombers in 2017. With Ithaca's midfield loaded with senior returners during her rookie season, Welch saw action in six contests, notching two goals and two caused turnovers as a reserve. She truly broke onto the scene as a sophomore, with 15 starts and appearances in all 19 contests. Welch was able to showcase her strong two-way play with 23 points on 16 goals and seven assists, while defensively she corralled 15 ground-balls and 12 caused turnovers.
 
Welch continued her two-way impact during her junior campaign. She registered 10 goals and three assists in 21 appearances for the Bombers. This spring was shaping up to be a career year for the senior captain. She was well on her way to smashing career highs, racking up 14 goals and four assists through five games.
 
Welch caps her IC career with 56 points on 42 goals and 14 assists. Defensively, she finishes her time at IC with 34 ground-balls and 22 caused turnovers.
 
An academic standout, Welch has been and Liberty League All-Academic selection throughout her career.