AMHERST, Mass. – The Connecticut College women's lacrosse team dropped a conference contest to the #19 Amherst in a 7-12 decision on a Wednesday evening at Gooding Field.

The Mammoths controlled the first quarter scoring six goals to the Camel's one, which was scored by senior Alyssa Pietz (Brentwood, N.H.) five minutes into the game. Despite narrowing the deficit several times, the Camels could not complete the comeback.

Freshman Emily O'Rourke (Concord, Mass.) got the Camels rolling just 1:30 into the second quarter, and even though the Mammoths answered with a goal of their own, the Camels had found their rhythm. Freshman Greta Panke (Milldale, Conn.) and classmate Aine Downey (Brookline, Mass.) both scored in the second quarter to bring the Camels within three of the Mammoths going into the half.

Freshman Emma Ognibene (New Canaan, Conn.) picked up right where they left off, opening the second half with a goal just 20 seconds into the quarter. Senior Kelly Wolin (Sudbury, Mass.) added another, bringing the Camels within one goal of the Mammoths. 

But that was as close as they were going to get. The Mammoths responded, scoring the next four goals and ending the Camel's comeback attempt. Junior Emily Yorns (Longmeadow, Mass.) added another score halfway through the fourth quarter, but the Mammoths kept the momentum and closed out the game. Sophomore goalie Violette Nidds (Ridgewood, N.J.) recorded the loss with three saves.

Despite the loss, Connecticut College (5-7, NESCAC 0-7) produced some impressive stats against a nationally-ranked squad. The Camels outshot the Mammoths 25-23. They also succeeded in 19 of 20 clear attempts and won ground balls 25 ground balls to Amherst's 23. The Camels defense caused eight turnovers, and the offense only turned the ball over 15 times compared to the Mammoths 20. 

The Camels will return to New London to play Bates on Saturday at the Cadet Memorial Field on the Coast Guard Academy campus.