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ITHACA, N.Y. -- Host Ithaca surged to an 8-1 lead in the first half and the Bombers were comfortably ahead the rest of the way as they went on to defeat Nazareth in an Empire 8 Conference women's lacrosse game, 16-6.

The loss was Nazareth's first in conference play in 2015 as the Golden Flyers dropped to 3-1 in the Empire 8 and 803 overall. Ithaca improved to 3-2 in conference play and 6-6 overall. The Golden Flyers play again Sunday at Utica at 1 p.m.

The Bombers scored three times before the game was three minutes old to set an early tone. Morgan Caldwell scored two of her game-high four goals and Niki Standera also tallied in that stretch.

A goal by Nazareth's Brooke Sullivan interrupted the string, but Ithaca countered by scoring the next five goals, including another by Caldwell, to take a commanding 8-1 lead.

Nazareth closed the half with a goal by freshman Haley DeVona and then opened the second half by scoring four of the first six goals to pull within 10-6 with more than 16 minutes left. Sullivan and DeVona each scored again and sophomores Jamie Martin and Kate Rothrock also scored as Nazareth closed the gap.

After Rothrock's goal, with 16:03 left, Ithaca won the ensuing draw control and Ally Runyon scored just eight seconds later to extinguish Nazareth's momentum. Caldwell added her fourth goal of the game less than a minute after that as the Bombers closed out the Golden Flyers by scoring the last six goals. Runyon and Natalie Lang each scored three goals for Ithaca and Riley Marion scored twice.

Nazareth had a 25-20 edge in shots and ground balls were even at 18 each. Ithaca won 13 draws to Nazareth's 11. DeVona had three ground balls and had three draw controls for Nazareth in addition to her two goals. Senior defender Hannah Prince also had three ground balls and two caused turnovers. Senior goalie Ashley Kirch played all 60 minutes and made five saves. Ithaca's Kimberly Presuto had 11 saves.
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