Rochester, NY – An overpowering effort in the first 15 minutes of Saturday's game could not be maintained for the full 60 by the Clarkson University Women's Lacrosse team, as the Golden Knights saw a four-goal, first-half lead slip away in a 13-9 Liberty League loss to RIT.

The Golden Knights dropped to 9-4 overall and 2-3 in the Liberty League, while RIT moved to 7-6 and 2-4. After three straight losses in league play, Clarkson will look to get back on track next weekend when it takes on Union and William Smith at Hantz Turf Field.

Clarkson was clicking on all cylinders in the first quarter of Saturday's contest, scoring four times in the first 15 minutes with goals from Abby Collins (two), Taylor Collins and Kate Dillon. The Golden Knights held RIT without a shot for almost that entire time as well, with the Tigers finally receiving a shot on a free-position opportunity at the 15:10 mark. Sammy Ward converted that chance for RIT, but it didn't look like the momentum had shifted much. Clarkson scored five minutes later when Abby Collins produced her third goal of the game on an FPS at the 9:54 mark to return the margin to four, but RIT got two key goals in the final two minutes, including one with just one second left in the half, to make the score 5-4 at intermission.

The two teams traded goals in the first two minutes of the second half, but Clarkson's offense went cold as RIT recovered to tie the game and then pushed its advantage to five (11-6) with 13 minutes remaining. The Knights ended a 20:41 drought when Emma Andrews found Jaid Baytos in front, and Kate Dillon scored 38 seconds later to make the score 11-8 with just over seven minutes left, but that was as close as Clarkson could get, as RIT tallied twice in the final five-plus minutes to gain the win.

Despite their slow start, RIT finished with a 22-20 edge in shots, while Clarkson held a 24-17 edge in groundballs. Abby Collins scored four points on three goals and an assist and also added four groundballs and two caused turnovers. Taylor Collins had a hand in the first two goals of the game with a goal and an assist and then added five groundballs, five draws and four caused turnovers. Emma Andrews (1 goal, 2 assists) and Kate Dillon (2 goals, one assist) each had three points, and Jaid Baytos also added a pair of goals. Samantha Gladd made three saves for the Knights.

For RIT, Sammy Ward, Sydney DaCosta and Emily Livecchi each had three goals and an assist, while Nicole Bingo finished with three points on two goals and an assist. Bingo also tossed in six draws, three groundballs and three caused turnovers, and Elizabeth Hughes made six saves in the RIT crease.