Patience and timely offense gave Liberty a 5-0 halftime lead on the way to a 9-6 win at Northampton on Saturday in Eastern Pennsylvania Conference girls’ lacrosse.

The Hurricanes (6-4, 3-3 EPC) used a four-goal run spanning the third and fourth quarters to withstand two Northampton runs and hold on for a victory over the K-Kids (2-9, 0-6 EPC).

“We hadn’t really experienced a backer zone, which Northampton was doing,” said Samantha Rella, Liberty head coach. “The seniors and captains really did a good job with helping the team have the confidence and the ability to adjust what we planned in practice to what was happening on the field.”

After Northampton held the ball for more than three minutes on its opening possession, the Hurricanes took the early lead just past the halfway mark in the first quarter on the first of four goals from senior Ellis Corr.

“She’s doing a phenomenal job, working on her mental and physical game,” Rella said of Corr. “She’s a difference maker. You saw on the draw controls as well. She really kept us in it and her athleticism, talent and lacrosse IQ is incredible and helps our team. I think her positive talk with the team and pumping them up and adjusting to what the defense was doing really made our team a lot better.”

Following Corr’s second goal, junior Christina Bozakis scored with less than a minute to go in the first quarter, giving Liberty a 3-0 lead.

Hurricanes’ junior Lillianne Medaska scored twice in the second quarter, countering Northampton’s patience on offense, and giving Liberty a 5-0 lead at halftime.

Northampton started the second half strong, cutting the lead to 5-3 on a pair of goals from Lauren Reznick, the K-Kids’ leading scorer, and a goal from Anna Caiazzo.

However, Corr answered for Liberty, scoring twice in the third quarter. Adding on a goal from sophomore Elizabeth McClarin, the Hurricanes led 8-3 heading into the final quarter.

Medaska’s third goal early in the fourth gave Liberty a 9-3 lead. While Northampton scored three more goals in the fourth, getting tallies from Reznick, Caiazzo and Emma Schall, Liberty’s offense maintained possession late to seal the conference victory.

Liberty headed back on the road Tuesday to visit Emmaus before hosting Southern Lehigh today (April 16).

“We have a busy week, a tough week,” Rella said. “I’m really excited to see how we can tweak some things in practice and see what this crew can do.”

Northampton is off until Thursday when they host Freedom.