(Clermont, Fla.) – The Dickinson women's lacrosse team improved to 3-0 with a thrilling, 10-9 win, over #18-ranked Ithaca College on Wednesday. The Red Devils held off a late rally by the Bombers after stretching the lead to 9-5 in the second half.

The Red Devils came out strong, scoring the first three goals of the game. Sophomore Maddy Siebold (Mountain Lakes, N.J./Mountain Lakes) put the Devils on the board with a free position goal, just 3:24 into the contest. Senior Kelly Haglund (Chevy Chase, Md./Stone Ridge School of the Holy Child) converted a free position, two minutes later for a 2-0 advantage.

Dickinson controlled the draw as Colleen Zulty (Jarrettsville, Md./John Carroll School) gained possession, and the Red Devils struck again, just 16 seconds later as senior Carly O'Brien (Cranbury, N.J./Princeton Day School) scored off an assist from Sophie Waine (Wellesley, Mass./Greenwich), with 24:29 remaining in the half.

The Bombers capitalized on a free position opportunity to put a goal on the board at the 13:57 mark. O'Brien found the net again for Dickinson and first-year Megan McCulloh (Cockeysville, Md./Garrison Forest) stretched the lead to 5-1 with free position goal, with 11:36 to play in the half.

Ithaca put together a rally, scoring three straight in a span of 4:18 to cut the deficit to just a goal, 5-4, with just under six minutes remaining. McColloh dished out an assist to junior Jennifer Morrissey (Rockville, Md./Good Counsel), and Siebold found the net in the final minute to put the Devils up, 7-4, at halftime.

Ally Runyon put away a free position shot to open the second half for Ithaca. O'Brien and Waine countered with back-to-back goals, putting Dickinson in front, 9-5, with just over 19 minutes to play. Runyon triggered another Bomber rally, scoring off an assist from Riley Marion.

Natalie Lang scored for Ithaca and Marion cut the lead to one, once again, at the 12:23 mark. Morrissey controlled the ensuing draw and Waine took advantage of a free position to give the Devils, what would prove to be a key insurance goal, with just 11:10 to play in the game.

The teams traded possessions before Ithaca goaltender Kimberly Presuto came up with a big save at the 9:09 mark. The Bombers cleared and pulled within one at the 8:14 mark. Morgan Racicot made the score, 10-9, finishing an assist from Molly Fischer.

Ithaca controlled the draw but Siebold was able to force a turnover and control the ground ball. Presuto made another big save for the Bombers, giving possession back to Ithaca. Siebold came up with another huge take-away with just over three minutes to play. The Devils were able to hold on and run out the clock to claim their third victory to start the season.

O'Brien led the Red Devil attack with three goals and three ground balls while Waine tallied two goals and an assist. Sophomore Molli Haimerl (Old Greenwich, Conn./Greenwich) controlled three GBs, anchoring the defensive effort, along with Zulty and Moira Mahoney (Wayne, Pa./Radnor).

Senior JoJo Auerbach (Chevy Chase, Md./Bullis School) made three saves in the first half before sophomore Tara Cuddihy (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) came on for the second half, making one save to preserve the win.

Runyon tallied a hat-trick to lead Ithaca (1-3). Emily Ross made 10 saves in the first half while Presuto finished with five as the Red Devils almost doubled-up the Bombers in shots, 30-16.

Dickinson returns to Carlisle and will have another big test on Tuesday. The Red Devils host #8-ranked Trinity College on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, at 4:00 pm on Biddle Field.