ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca (5-11, 3-3 Empire 8) field hockey team defeated Elmira (0-16, 0-6 Empire 8) 4-1 Saturday afternoon at Yavits Field and clinched a spot in the Empire 8 playoffs. The Bombers scored three goals in a span of four minutes during the first half to take a commanding lead.

Senior forward Ally Girasole (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) opened the scoring for Ithaca in the 16th minute on an assist from freshman forward Julia Conroy (Westfield/Westfield, N.J.). Conroy's initial shot was saved, and she passed the rebound to Girasole, who scored her second goal of the season.

Junior forward Katherine Brown (Akron/Akron) doubled Ithaca's lead in the 19th minute with her fifth goal of the year. She scored on her own rebound. The Bomber lead grew to 3-0 just 1:15 later as junior midfielder Laura Murphy (Orchard Park/Orchard Park) scored on an assist from freshman forward Tracy Rivas (East Meadow/East Meadow).

The Bombers added a second-half goal on a terrific individual effort from freshman forward Amanda Rissmeyer (Watchung Hills Regional/Millington, N.J.). Her first shot was saved, but she neatly scooped the rebound over the goalkeeper's head and underneath the crossbar for her second goal of the season.

Bomber senior goalkeeper Chelsea Welsh (Scotia-Glenville/Scotia) made 11 saves in the first half. Senior goalkeeper Courtney Dowell (Massapequa/Massapequa) played the second half and made six saves. Ithaca outshot Elmira 33-24 and had 20 shots in the second half.

Ithaca's five seniors were recognized prior to the game – Welsh, Dowell, Girasole, midfielder Annie Onzik (Bishop O'Reilly/Shavertown, Pa.) and midfielder Caitlin Harte (Red Hook/Clermont).

The Bombers' Empire 8 semifinal is Saturday at Hoboken, N.J. against top-seeded Stevens Institute of Technology, currently ranked 20th in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll.
 

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