ITHACA, N.Y. – Despite staying close for most of the day, host Cornell pulled away late in the fourth quarter to post a 12-6 victory over the St. Bonaventure women's lacrosse team Wednesday afternoon in Bona's non-conference finale.

The Bonnies (5-4) entered the day on a four-game winning streak and kept things even with the Big Red (4-3), which received votes in this week's national Top 20 polls, with a 2-2 tie through 15 minutes.

Cornell seemed primed to take control early by scoring the game's first two goals for a 2-0 advantage at the 10:43 mark of the opening quarter.

Bonnies freshman Gracie Williams turned the tide, however, with a low rocket into the net for her third goal of the season.

Late in the first, the Bonnies took advantage of a Cornell penalty as Rylee Gonzalez was awarded a free position attempt which she cashed in on to knot the score.

Cornell then went on a 4-0 run to seize momentum before freshman Riley Milligan scored another goal by way of Bona having an extra attacker, but the hosts ultimately took a 7-3 lead to intermission.

In the third, the Bonnies attempted to claw back as Megan Schillinger started the second half scoring unassisted.

Once again, though, Cornell responded with another run for a 9-4 lead with 12:30 left to go.

The Bonnies tried one last rally as Gonzalez netted her second of the day, followed by Brooke Piper sending home a rebound in front of the net to close within 9-6 and 6:21 remaining.

The three-goal margin remained until the 2:51 mark when Cornell added two more insurance scores in the waning minutes.

Gonzalez notched a team-high three points (2G-1A).

Defensively, reigning Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week Brit Colangelo impressed with four caused turnovers and five groundballs. Goalie Judy Mahoney made several impressive saves and finished with 11 stops on the day.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH LEIGHANN STAUFFER
"Our team fought hard today against a very good team. We knew this was going to be tough contest heading into it and we made a few mistakes we haven't really seen in the last few weeks. It was good for us to play against a team like that and we're excited to focus on conference play and Senior Day on Saturday."

UP NEXT
The Bonnies return home for their first Atlantic 10 action of the spring at the Marra Athletics Complex this Saturday. Saturday's game will also be Senior Day as the Bonnies and Rams are slated for a noon start.

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