ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's lacrosse team found themselves in another close contest on Saturday afternoon as the Bombers opened Liberty League play with a 13-12 victory at RIT, handing the Tigers their first loss of the season. Ithaca is now 4-1 on the year.

Ithaca kept the game tightly contested in the opening period against the RIT Tigers women's lacrosse, finishing the quarter tied 5–5 while showing strong possession and offensive pressure. Ithaca responded quickly each time RIT scored, highlighted by goals from Taya Dukes, Lily Cody, Kelly Augeri, Aubrey Holowinski, and Anna Dahlman. The Bombers generated multiple scoring chances, including shots from Leigh Naturale and Sydney Smith, and capitalized on key possessions after draw controls by Holowinski and Cody.

Defensively, goalie Mikaela Dattilo contributed with important saves and helped start successful clear attempts that allowed Ithaca to transition back to offense. Ithaca also forced turnovers late in the period, including a caused turnover by Emma Hardy that led to another possession.

The Bombers needed offensive momentum in the second quarter, battling through pressure to enter halftime tied 8–8. Ithaca created consistent scoring opportunities, highlighted by Anna Dahlman who scored to give the Bombers the lead before assisting Kelly Augeri on another goal moments later to extend the advantage. The Bombers applied defensive pressure as well, forcing multiple turnovers, including caused turnovers by Katelyn Ikle, Lily Cody, and Phoebe Hosford that helped transition quickly up field. In the final seconds of the half, Lily Cody capitalized on a man-up free-position opportunity to tie the game heading into the half. 

The Bombers gained momentum in the third quarter, turning strong defensive pressure and timely scoring into a 11–9 lead. Shortly after RIT took the lead on a man-up opportunity, but Ithaca quickly responded as Lily Cody tied the game before scoring again off an assist from Leigh Naturale to put the Bombers ahead. The offense continued to build momentum when Sydney Smith finished a well-timed pass from Kelly Augeri to extend Ithaca's lead. Defensively, the Bombers forced several key turnovers, including caused turnovers by Gabrielle Crellin and Leigh Naturale, while goalie Mikaela Dattilo made important saves on both a free-position shot and a point-blank attempt to keep RIT from closing the gap. Ithaca also controlled possessions with multiple successful clears and ground balls from players like Crellin, Katelyn Ikle, and Phoebe Hosford, helping the Bombers maintain pressure and carry a two-goal advantage into the final period.

Ithaca closed the game with a determined fourth-quarter effort to secure a 13–12 victory over the RIT Tigers. Ithaca struck early in the period when Augeri finished a strong offensive possession off an assist from Naturale to extend the Bombers' lead.

After RIT managed to tie the game later in the quarter, Ithaca responded with the decisive moment as Naturale found the back of the net on a pass from Augeri to restore the lead. The Bombers applied steady pressure throughout the period, generating multiple scoring chances from players like Cody and Kathryn Scallon while controlling key possessions with successful clears and ground balls.

Defensively, Ithaca stepped up in the closing minutes, forcing crucial turnovers—including multiple caused turnovers by Cody—and limiting RIT's final opportunities. Augeri led the Bombers with six points with three goals and three assists, Cody had four goals, and Dahlman had two. Cody had four caused turnovers followed by Hosford's two.

The Bombers play next away vs Saint Lawrence University for another Liberty League matchup.