BALTIMORE, Md. – The Bard College women's lacrosse team earned its first win of the season by defeating Notre Dame of Maryland University, 15-10, in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday afternoon.

The Raptors (1-2) never trailed, but it took a late push to create some breathing room and get the victory.
 
Casey Witte scored in the first minute for Bard, which built a 3-1 lead, but the Gators (2-3) eventually tied it at 4-4. A goal by Alexandra Clarke with 15 seconds left in the first half gave the Raptors a 7-5 halftime lead.

From there, each time Notre Dame took a step closer, Bard responded. Early in the second half, the hosts cut it to 7-6, but Witte made it 8-6. After the lead was cut to 8-7, Clarke added another quick goal to make it 9-7, and that's where the game really changed. Bard scored five of the next seven goals in the game to make it 15-9, and the game ended 15-10.

In the last 17 minutes of the game, Bard limited Notre Dame to one goal on just four shots. The defense tightened up at just the right time.

Clarke finished with four goals, while Witte and Nicole Ellin each had three goals and an assist. Marion Adams scorfed twice, while Carla Sanchez, Dylan McDonald and Leia Carey scored a goal apiece. Kaylynn Tran made five saves.

Ellin had six draw controls and five ground balls. She is 4-for-4 on free position shots so far this season. Witte had five draw controls, and Sanchez caused a pair of turnovers.

Kirsten McGee (Middle River, MD) had four goals and two assists for the Gators. De'Ja Martin (Salisbury, MD) made 12 saves.
 
Bard had a ground ball advantage of 22-16 and 15-12 edge in draw controls.  Bard only turned the ball over nine times to the Gators' 12.

Bard is staying in Maryland for one more game on this Spring Break trip. They'll play at Wesley College on Thursday at 4. Follow it via Live Stats right here.