SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- The Skidmore College women's lacrosse team outscored Mount Holyoke College 7-2 in the second half, cruising to a 15-8 non-conference win, Saturday afternoon at Wachenheim Field in the season opener for both teams.
After Kirsten Kilburn tallied on free-position early in the second half to cut the Thoroughbreds (1-0) lead to 8-7, Skidmore rattled off seven unanswered goals to pull away for its first win of the season.
Freshman midfielder Tyler Phillips netted four goals and an assist in her first collegiate performance for the Thoroughbreds. Peggy Healey also recorded four points with a goal and four assists. In goal, Allie Sosinsky made four saves for her first win.
Kilburn led the Lyons (0-1) with four goals, Julia Bell added two goals and two assists and Isa Rodriguez turned aside 20 shots in goal.
The Thoroughbreds jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Tess Mattimore and Emma Harris, but Mount Holyoke responded with tallies from Bell and Catherine Ryan to tie it at 2-2. Harris added her second goal of the season with 12:44 left in the first half, restoring Skidmore's two-goal lead at 6-4.
Kilburn cut the Lyons deficit to one, converting on a free-position shot, and Naomi Miller knotted the game at 6-6 with an unassisted effort with 2:53 to play in the first. The Thoroughbreds managed to pull away just before half as Phillips and Emma Olcott both found the back of the net, putting Skidmore ahead 8-6.
Kilburn's third goal of the contest brought the Lyons to within one five minutes into the second half, but it was as close as MHC would get. The Thoroughbreds scored six goals in nine minutes to pull away for good with Phillips contributing three goals and Krista Lamoreaux, Adele Mackey and Spencer Morgan adding a goal each. Mackey rounded out the scoring for Skidmore's with 3:55 to play before Kilburn produced her fourth goal of the game.
The Thoroughbreds held a 41-27 advantage in shots and a 26-23 edge in groundballs, while posting a 13-9 margin in draw controls.
Skidmore travels to Utica College Wednesday, Mar. 5 for a 5 p.m. contest. Mount Holyoke returns to action on Tuesday, Mar. 4 for a 4:30 p.m. game at Bridgewater State.
