No. 7 Women's Lacrosse Gears Up For Liberty League Tournament

Ithaca, N.Y. - The 7th-ranked Ithaca College Women's Lacrosse team will host the St. Lawrence Saints in the Liberty League Semifinals on April 28 at 4:00 p.m. The Bombers are the top seed in the Liberty League Tournament after an 11-0 regular season, including an 8-0 mark in conference play.

Ithaca is riding a 16-game winning streak into the semifinal matchup. The winning streak dates back to last season's 5-0 start before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the rest of the season to be canceled. Ithaca opened this season ranked 15th in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association coaches poll after gaining a lot of respect last season. The ranking also reflected the experience returning for the Bombers, whose roster features 11 seniors.

Ithaca opened the season with a pair of wins over nationally-ranked opponents in rival SUNY Cortland and Brockport. The Bombers swept their first Liberty League series of the season against RIT before a weekend series with Liberty League powerhouse William Smith. In a strong defensive series, Ithaca swept the Herons and held them to just seven goals in both games.

Sitting at 6-0, Ithaca added a game to its schedule against Union. The Dutchwomen pushed the Bombers to the end in a 24-22 Ithaca win that proved to be the highest scoring Liberty League game of the regular season. Senior Jacqui Hallack led all scorers with a career-high nine goals in that game.

Ithaca would finish out the season strong with dominant series sweeps over Liberty League opponents Rochester and Vassar, locking up the undefeated regular season and home field advantage throughout the Liberty League tournament. Along the way, Ithaca also earned the No. 1 ranking in their NCAA Tournament region, setting the Bombers up for what should be favorable matchups in the first few rounds should they win the Liberty League Tournament.

Statistically, Ithaca has a few players who really stand out. The offense is led by senior Jacqui Hallack, who has 56 goals and 10 assists on the season. Seniors Alexa Ritchie, Madison Boutureira, and Megan Motkowski have posted solid starts to the season. Ritchie has 28 goals and seven assists and Motkowski has 29 goals and 10 assists, while Boutureira has 23 goals to go along with 13 helpers.

Defensively, senior Rachel Rosenberg has led the way, collecting 28 ground balls and causing 27 turnovers. Senior Molly Nodiff has also been steady on the back line with 24 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers. Senor Mackenzie Schade has been solid in net for the Bombers, stopping 69 shots through 11 games.

Players Mentioned

#15 Madison Boutureira: A; 5' 7"; Senior

#2 Jacqui Hallack: M; 5' 2"; Senior

#4 Megan Motkowski: M; 5' 3"; Senior

#13 Molly Nodiff: D; 5' 3"; Senior

#6 Alexa Ritchie: A; 5' 2"; Senior

#10 Rachel Rosenberg: D; 5' 5"; Senior

#33 Mackenzie Schade: GK; 5' 3"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#15 Madison Boutureira
: 5' 7"; Senior
: A

#2 Jacqui Hallack
: 5' 2"; Senior
: M

#4 Megan Motkowski
: 5' 3"; Senior
: M

#13 Molly Nodiff
: 5' 3"; Senior
: D

#6 Alexa Ritchie
: 5' 2"; Senior
: A

#10 Rachel Rosenberg
: 5' 5"; Senior
: D

#33 Mackenzie Schade
: 5' 3"; Senior
: GK