HOBOKEN N.J. – The Ithaca College field hockey team (10-8) lost to Utica (15-4) Saturday afternoon, falling to the Pioneers by a score of 1-0 in the Empire 8 semifinal game hosted by Stevens Institute of Technology. 

Senior Katie Kennedy led Ithaca with one shot on goal, while junior Sarah Pfeifle and sophomore Laurel Shnider each recorded a defensive save. Freshman goalkeeper Katie Lass was magnificent in the contest, making 17 stops.

After a scoreless first half, the Pioneers scored the game's only goal in the 56th minute of play. Utica's Louise Steele-Norton was finally able to sneak a shot through Lass, marking her 16th goal of the season. Ithaca was unable to score in the final 15 minutes of play, giving Utica the 1-0 shutout win.

The game marked the Bombers' first appearance in the Empire 8 Playoffs since 2009.