Box Score
ITHACA, N.Y. – The No. 7 Ithaca College women's soccer team (16-2-0) defeated Nazareth (11-7-2) Sunday afternoon, dropping the Golden Flyers by a score of 3-1 at Carp Wood Field to win the Empire 8 Championship. The win gives Ithaca the Empire 8's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, marking the Bombers' 11th-straight trip to NCAA postseason play.

Seniors Jackie Rodabaugh, Ellyn Grant-Keane and freshman Holly Niemiec all scored for the Bombers, while sophomore goalkeeper Beth Coppolecchia made four saves on five Golden Flyer shots.

Similar to Saturday's semifinal game, the Bombers got on the board early. Niemiec sent a cross pass through the box, finding Rodabaugh on the far side. Rodabaugh took possession and fired a shot past Nazareth's Bethany Novak, giving Ithaca a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute.

The Golden Flyers evened the contest before the half. Nazareth's Olivia Derleth knocked home her 10th goal of the season, scoring the equalizing tally at 26:27 on a feed off a corner kick.

The Bombers dominated in the second half, outshooting Nazareth by an 11-3 margin in the final frame. Ithaca converted on one of those opportunities in the 57th minute, giving the Bombers a 2-1 lead. Rodabaugh started the play, sending a pass in front of a crowded Nazareth goal mouth. Grant-Keane controlled the ball and fired a shot past Novak for her fifth goal of the season.

Ithaca would register an insurance goal in the 81st minute, as Niemiec scored her second of the season off a beautiful touch pass from fellow freshman Taylor Baranowsky. Nazareth was unable to come back in the final 10 minutes of play, securing Ithaca's ninth Empire 8 title.

Four Bombers were named to the 2013 Empire 8 All-Tournament Team, including freshman Aimee Chimera who was honored as the MVP of the tournament. Chimera was joined by seniors Amanda Callanan, Anna Gray and Grant-Keane.

Ithaca will now move on to the NCAA Tournament. The first round is scheduled for the weekend of Nov. 16.

2013 Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team
-Ithaca #10-Aimee Chimera – Fr./B (MVP)
-Ithaca #20-Ellyn Grant-Keane –Sr./F
-Ithaca #22-Amanda Callanan – Sr./M
-Ithaca #24-Anna Gray – Sr./B
-Nazareth #17-Sarah Cipperly – Sr./B
-Nazareth #19-Anne Czelusniak – Sr./M
-Nazareth-#23 -Olivia Derleth – Sr./F
-Fisher #20-Alex Rohloff –Sr./M
-Fisher #9 -Carly Finn – Fr./M
-Stevens #12-Caitlyn Labonte – Sr./B
-Stevens #33-Bridgette Barden – Sr./M