Box Score SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY -- The 17th-ranked Skidmore College field hockey team secured crucial conference points in a gritty 4-3 win against #14 University of Rochester Yellowjackets, Friday at Wagner Park.
 
Kelly Blackhurst tallied twice, moving her into the top-10 in Division III career scoring with 237 points (94 G, 49 A). Sam Skott also netted a pair of goals for the Thoroughbreds and Dani DeGregory and Sam Revera each added an assist.
 
Skidmore got out to an early 2-0 lead with goals from Blackhurst and Skott. Blackhurst intercepted a pass and buried a shot from the top of the circle to open the scoring in the third minute, and Skott slotted a shot from close-range just inside the left post off a feed from Revera.
 
Michelle Relin's blast in the 15th minute cut the Rochester deficit in half, receiving a pass from Belle Hoagland on a penalty corner and converting on a shot from the top of the circle.
 
The Thoroughbreds regained control of the game in the 17th minute, as Skott recorded her second goal of the game, fighting off a defender to jam home a backhand pass from DeGregory. Blackhurst increased the lead to 4-1 just over seven minutes later off a penalty corner, dribbling past a Rochester defender and converting from the top of the circle.
 
The Yellowjackets gained momentum late in the first half as Katie Flaschner's lofted shot made it 4-2 at 34:44. Belle Hoagland's redirection the 42nd minute cut the Skidmore lead to 4-3, but the Thoroughbreds stingy defense allowed only one shot in the final 27:14 of play to secure the victory.
 
With the win, Skidmore (12-3, 4-1 Liberty) moves into second in the Liberty League standings and can secure the #1 seed with a win against #7 William Smith tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the final conference game for both teams.