ITHACA, N.Y. – IWLCA #9 Ithaca College scored the first seven goals of the game on the way to an 18-7 victory over the Union College women's lacrosse team in Liberty League action on Saturday afternoon at Higgins Stadium.
 
Junior Drew Charlton led Union (2-4, 1-2 Liberty League) with four points on three goals and an assist, while sophomore Anna Smith also scored three times for the visitors. Madison Boutureira (five goals, three assists) and Maizy Veitch (five goals) led the way for the nationally ranked Bombers.
 
Ithaca (8-1, 4-1 Liberty League) put pressure on Union from the very beginning, getting a goal from Veitch on the opening possession. The Union defense limited the Bombers to one goal over the next 10 minutes, but the home team followed up with three goals in 97 seconds to take a five-goal lead into the second period. Shots were 11-2 in favor of Ithaca in the opening 15 minutes.
 
The Bombers scored the first two goals of the second quarter before Smith ended the drought with 6:22 remaining. Charlton followed soon after with two goals in 17 seconds to get the visitors back within three at 8-3, and Smith followed up an Alexa Ritchie goal with one of her own in the final seconds to make it a 9-4 game at the half.
 
Smith's third of the day early in the third quarter got the Dutchwomen back within four, but four straight goals by Ithaca stemmed the tide and put some more distance between the teams. Despite a goal late in the third by junior Dana Nelson, Ithaca outscored Union 5-1 in the fourth frame to finish off the victory.
 
Ithaca finished the game with a 39-19 edge in shots. Senior Jenna Paszek made nine saves on 18 shots in the first half, followed by sophomore Hannah Dubinsky making three saves on 12 attempts in the second half.
 
Union will return home for three straight games beginning on Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Middlebury College.