Clarkson Women’s Lacrosse Faces Ithaca in Liberty League Playoffs
The Clarkson University Women’s Lacrosse team is gearing up for a big return to the Liberty League Tournament, their first appearance since 2022. The Golden Knights will face Ithaca College, a familiar rival, and honestly, this matchup should be electric.
This will be the third time these two teams clash in the Liberty League playoffs since 2019. Both squads have some of the most dangerous offensive players in the conference, so fans should probably expect a wild, high-scoring battle.
The Journey to the Liberty League Tournament
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Clarkson took a break from the Liberty League Tournament but has fought their way back. Their season featured some gutsy wins and standout moments.
The highlight? Their historic late-March victory over Ithaca College, where they pulled off an 18-16 win. That was the first time Clarkson ever beat Ithaca—pretty huge for the program.
Key Players and Stats for Clarkson
The Golden Knights closed the regular season at 10-7 overall and 4-6 in the Liberty League. A few players really drove their success:
- Gabby Cranfield: She’s second in the league in points per game (4.94) and leads the conference in assists (2.82) for the second year running.
- Sydney Nakas: Racked up 56 points—25 goals and 31 assists—including that monster 11-point game against Ithaca.
- Makenna Cassin: Leads the team in goals with 42, with 11 of those coming in just her last two games. Talk about heating up at the right time.
- Mea Tranquilli: Anchors the defense with 35 caused turnovers. Cassin isn’t far behind, sitting at 33.
Ithaca College: A Formidable Opponent
Ithaca College has put together a strong season too, finishing 11-5 overall and 7-3 in the Liberty League. The Bombers love to score, and they’ve got three of the top five scorers in the conference.
Key Players and Stats for Ithaca
- Leigh Naturale: Tallied 71 points with 37 goals and 34 assists, ranking second in assists across the league.
- Kelly Augeri: Notched 68 points (45 goals, 23 assists), with 2.81 goals per game—sixth best in the conference.
- Lily Cody: Third on the team with 64 points (41 goals, 23 assists), but she’s a serious candidate for conference midfielder of the year. She’s got 112 draws, 23 caused turnovers, and 34 groundballs.
Previous Encounters and Historical Context
This upcoming game will be the third playoff meeting between Clarkson and Ithaca since 2019. Ithaca took the previous two, winning 15-8 in 2022 and 25-12 in 2019.
But Clarkson’s win over Ithaca in March definitely adds some intrigue to this latest showdown.
March Showdown: A Turning Point
That March game was wild—Clarkson edged out Ithaca 18-16 in a shootout. Sydney Nakas went off, putting up 11 points with five goals and six assists.
That win gave Clarkson a serious confidence boost heading into the postseason. It felt like a real turning point for the team.
What to Expect in the Upcoming Game
With so much offensive talent on both sides, it’s hard not to expect another high-scoring, nail-biter of a game. Both teams have players who can take over at any moment.
If Clarkson wants to get the win, they’ll need to match their March offensive output and really lock in on defense to keep Ithaca’s stars in check.
Strategies for Success
If Clarkson’s going to pull this off, a few things need to happen:
- Utilize Key Playmakers: Let Gabby Cranfield and Sydney Nakas do their thing—set up plays and create chances.
- Defensive Solidity: Mea Tranquilli and Makenna Cassin have to disrupt Ithaca’s attack and stay sharp.
- Maintain Momentum: Keep riding that wave from the big March win and channel that confidence into the playoffs.
Conclusion: A Game to Watch
The Liberty League Tournament game between Clarkson University and Ithaca College is almost here. It’s shaping up to be a real battle.
Both teams have earned their spots near the top of the conference. Their past matchups? Always a good watch, honestly.
Key players on each side look ready to step up. If you care about lacrosse, you’d probably regret missing this one.
For more details on the matchup, check out the official Clarkson Athletics website.