CLINTON, N.Y. - The Connecticut College women's lacrosse game dropped a NESCAC game to Hamilton 12-5 at Steuben Field on Saturday afternoon. Despite the loss, Violette Nidds (Ridgewood, N.J.) played well in goal for the Camels, recording a season-high 16 saves.

Connecticut College (3-2, 0-2 NESCAC) entered the game coming off a non-conference victory over Nazareth. The nationally-ranked No. 16 Continentals are undefeated with conference wins over Amherst and Bowdoin.

The game started on a positive note for the Camels after an unassisted goal from Julianna Ingrassia (Garden City, N.Y.) gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. But Hamilton's Olivia Chiota found the back of the net just 14 seconds later to begin an 8-0 run for the hosts including seven goals in the second quarter alone. Janet Howard (Madison, Conn.) added a score for the Camels before the half, but they trailed 9-2 heading into the break.   

Connecticut College showed signs of life to begin the second half. Freshmen Aine Downey (Brookline, Mass.) and Caroline Bruce (Acton, Mass.) each scored to cut the lead to 9-4 with 15 minutes to go in regulation. Nidds was a major reason for the Camels' success, making eight saves in the third quarter alone. 

But Hamilton was able to extend its lead in the fourth on back-to-back goals from Eva Abel and Olivia Seymour. Junior Emily Yorns (Longmeadow, Mass.) added one more score for Conn halfway through the quarter, but it would not be nearly enough, and the Continentals picked up the victory, 12-5.

After nearly three weeks of play, Hamilton and Middlebury sit atop the NESCAC standings with identical 3-0 conference records.

Seymour and Abel led the game in points with four each. Ingrassia recorded a goal and an assist for the visiting Camels.

Connecticut College will next play Westfield State at home on Wednesday, March 23 at 7 p.m.