CLINTON, N.Y. - Hamilton College scored in the final ninety seconds, the Connecticut College women's lacrosse team came up short against the Continentals 10-9 on Saturday afternoon from Steuben Field. With the loss, Conn falls to 7-7 overall and 2-7 in NESCAC play, while Hamilton improves to 7-6 overall and 5-5 in conference action.
It was a slow start for both sides, as the defenses were strong in the opening minutes. Hamilton (6-6, 4-5 NESCAC) opened the scoring at 6:49 on a free-position goal. Conn (7-6, 2-6 NESCAC) got on the board with just over two minutes left in the opening quarter, as Sydney Weber (Hanover, Mass.) connected with Caroline Bruce (Acton, Mass.) tying the game at one. In the final minute, the Continentals hit the back of the net, leading 2-1 after one.
The Camels started the second quarter on the front foot, as Hannah Prescott (North Attleboro, Mass.) and Janet Howard scored forty seconds apart to put Conn up 3-2 at 11:54. Hamilton responded at 11:15, before Campbell Johnston (Duxbury, Mass.) made it 4-3 at 9:27. The Continentals tied the game at 5:44, but Aine Downey (Brookline, Mass.) found Kate Coughlin (Reading, Mass.) putting Conn back in front with four minutes left. Hamilton scored twice late in the quarter to lead 6-5 at the break.
Early in the third quarter, Hamilton pushed the lead to two on another free-position marker. Conn answered with Prescott's second of the game coming on a woman-up opportunity, before Howard converted on a free-position shot with 3:21 to play, tying the game at seven. In the final two minutes of the frame, Hamilton retook the lead, heading to fourth quarter in front 8-7.
Two minutes into the final frame, Conn tied the game at eight as Johnston notched her second tally of the game. The Continentals jumped back in front just over a minute later, at 11:40, but Johnston completed her hat trick on a free-position goal tying the game at nine at 10:14. Both defenses hunkered down, but with 1:22 remaining Hamilton got a free-position shot and converted, coming away with the 10-9 win.
Hamilton outshot Conn 27-19, while holding a slim 12-11 edge on draw controls.
Viollette Nidds (Ridgewood, N.J.) got the start in net, finishing with seven saves. Johnston led the way with three goals, while Prescott and Howard both notched two markers, Bruce recorded a goal and an assist and Downey added two assists. Coughlin tallied one goal, while Weber and Emma Ognibene (New Canaan, Conn.) both had one assist.
Conn scooped up 16 ground balls, with Downey collecting four and Eliza Ritter (Glen Head, N.Y.) and Nidds both scooping up three. The Camels forced eight turnovers with Ritter causing three. Con was 18-24 on clear attempts, while Hannah Merritt (Cheshire, Conn.) controlled eight draws.
Three goalies combined to make four saves in net for Hamilton, as Casey Fiore earned the win. Julia Lee paced the Continentals with five goals, while Hamilton was 20-21 on clear attempts.
Conn wraps up the regular season on Wednesday night, as the Camels host Wesleyan University at 7:00 p.m. on Silfen Field.
