POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Powered by a game-best seven tallies from senior midfielder Jacqui Hallack, Ithaca College used a huge second half to defeat Vassar, 21-13 in Liberty League women's lacrosse action on Friday afternoon on Weinberg Turf. The seventh-ranked Bombers move to 10-0 overall and 7-0 in conference action, while the Brewers slip to 2-3 on the season and 2-2 in the Liberty League.

The game began in the home team's favor as rookie Natalie Daigle buried a feed from junior Ashley Roberts at the the 27:40 mark, but Ithaca countered as senior Madison Boutureira tied things up 20 seconds later. Behind two goals each from junior Caeli Porette and senior Alessandra Fable, the Brewers opened a 5-2 edge, but Ithaca came roaring back.

A 5-0 run for the Bombers, paced by back-to-back scores from Hallack helped lift the visitors to a 7-5 advantage. Porette and Fable each answered again for VC in the final 9:43, but another Hallack goal with 1:07 in the opening half sent Ithaca to the break up 9-7.

Second half action opened with a back-and-forth battle as senior Caroline Grant and Hallack each scored with Vassar countering on goals from Fable and Porette. The 21:01 mark proved the tipping point as Ithaca went on a 8-1 run to build a 19-10 advantage with 8:23 to play in the contest. Hallack once again provided the offensive muscle during the span with three tallies during the drive.

Vassar rookie Lola Wright notched the first goal of her collegiate career at the 7:19 mark, while sophomore Maddy Kretten fired in a pair of goals in the final 4:12, but the Ithaca lead proved too much to overcome.

In addition to Hallack, who also had two ground balls and seven draw controls. The Bombers saw senior Megan Motkowski post four tallies. Senior Alexa Ritchie added three goals and an assist. Senior Rachel Rosenberg posted four draws and three caused turnovers to go with three ground balls, while Grant had a goal with a caused turnover and five draws.

For Vassar, Porette led the way with four goals and a helper, adding four ground balls, a game-best four caused turnovers and a game-high nine draw controls. Fable posted four tallies and six draws with two ground balls, while Kretten had three total goals. Roberts added a game-best three assists. 

In goal, Ithaca senior Mackenzie Schade stopped 10 shots enroute to the win, while Vassar rookie Lauren Johns shouldered the loss with 11 saves over 44:44 of action. Junior Jackie Molloy made one save in 12:46 of relief, while sophomore Brooke Perlman had one stop in the final 2:30 of the game.

Prior to the contest, Vassar recognized its Class of 2021 graduating class. Recognized on the field was Fable, Marissa Kokinis, Kaela Parentis and Skylar Herrera-Ross. Also honored was Haydn Hallman, a member of the team who graduated in December 2020.

Both teams return to action on Saturday at Ithaca. The Bombers will host the Brewers in a 2pm tilt to round out the Liberty League regular season schedule.