ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's lacrosse team dropped a 13-12 decision to Hamilton College on Wednesday afternoon at Higgins Stadium as the Continentals scored the game-winning goal with just five seconds remaining in regulation. With the loss, Ithaca is now 9-7 on the season and will conclude its regular season against Skidmore on Saturday.

Hamilton tied the game at 12-12 with just under two minutes left in regulation and won the ensuing draw. After running 30 seconds off the clock, the Continentals earned a free position, which was saved by Lexi Held – her career-high 19th of the contest – and IC regained possession. After a timeout by the Bombers, play resumed with 1:11 to go, but IC gave the ball back on a turnover with 36 seconds remaining and Hamilton scored the game-winner moments later.

It was a scoreless contest after 15 minutes of play and then both teams found their offense in the second quarter, combining for nine goals, as the Continentals took a 5-4 lead into intermission.

IC got on the board first with a goal from Caroline Wise less than two minutes into the period. Less than a minute later, Hamilton tied the game at 1-1. The Bombers would go back ahead on a goal from Sydney Phillips with just over 10 minutes remaining in the half, but Hamilton answered at the 8:56 mark.

Forty seconds later, the Bombers went back in front on a tally from Maizy Veitch, only to see their lead vanish to another tie with 6:27 to go. Ithaca would once again regain the lead with 5:51 to go at 4-3 on a free position from Leigh Naturale, but the Continentals scored the final two goals of the half.

Hamilton would extend its lead to 9-6 after the third quarter with a 4-2 difference in goals during that 15-minute stretch. Hamilton would score the first three goals of the quarter until IC ended the streak with 1:46 to go on a goal from Phillips and assisted by Wise. Phillips and Wise would connect again in the final seconds to send the contest into the fourth period.

The Continentals extended their lead to four goals within the opening minute of the fourth quarter at 10-6, but Ithaca rattled off five straight goals to take an 11-10 advantage with 7:42 to play. During the five-goal run, Veitch scored two goals, while Phillips, Maddie Hall and Chloe Nordyke added the other three and Wise assisted on three goals.

Hamilton would deadlock the contest at 11-11 with five minutes to go, which set up the winner in the closing moments.

Following the game against Skidmore on Saturday, Ithaca will compete for a Liberty League championship. More information on that tournament will be released next week.