IPSWICH >> Newburyport was looking for a statement win in the Cape Ann League and it got one Friday.

The Clippers (8-2) edged Ipswich 10-9 in the CAL girls lacrosse showdown. Newburyport has now taken the lead in the CAL standings. Newburyport was led by their top goal scorers Reese Bromby and Amanda Linteris, who had four and three goals, respectively.

“Ipswich is great. We know each other very well. We knew the game would come down to a few turnovers here and there and it could have been anyone’s game today,” said Clippers head coach Catherine Batchelder. “I’m just so proud of my girls for gritting it out. We both have very young teams and it’s great to see them fighting it out the way they did today.”

Ipswich started the game hot with two quick goals in the first five minutes, with both of them off of free shots from Allie Wile. Newburyport responded quickly when Bromby found the back of the twine. Ipswich then netted another goal to make it 3-1. Linteris and then Bromby with a very athletic finish scored 58 seconds apart to make it a tie game at the end of the first.

Newburyport dominated the second quarter. The scoring favored them 4-2 in the period, but the pace of play was fully in their favor and would have been even more in control without the heroics of Wile, who picked up a goal and an assist in the second. Bromby and Linteris combined for three of the four goals and gave the Clippers a 7-5 lead at half.

The third quarter was a defensive battle for both sides, with both goalies making big saves. The Tigers cut the deficit in half and trailed 8-7. Linteris picked up the lone goal for Newburyport in the quarter.

The Clippers picked up two goals within the first four minutes of the final frame and this was all they would need. Bromby scored the first and then assisted on the other. Ipswich did try to mount a comeback with two free shot goals. They also had the ball with under 30 seconds to go and eventually had a turnover at the end and Newburport was able to run out the clock.

“I think we showed some grit today and should be able to prove that grit and improve throughout the rest of the season,” said Listeris. “Our offense is based on cutters and getting to the middle and we did a really good job at that.”

Leading scorer Bromby said on her team’s performance “This year we had a big change in becoming a younger team and we have had a lot of people step up and they have all been amazing. I really feel like our season is picking up and hopefully should be able to stack some wins.”