ITHACA, N.Y. - The Ithaca field hockey team (4-5, 1-2 Empire 8) scored a goal in each half and earned a 2-1 victory over visiting Utica (4-5, 2-1 Empire 8) in a conference game Saturday at Yavits Field. The Bombers handed Utica its first loss in conference play.

Sophomore forward Julia Conroy (Westfield/Westfield, N.J.) had a goal and an assist for Ithaca. She assisted on Ithaca's first-half goal, which came in the game's third minute. Conroy took a pass inside of the circle, dribbled past a defender and found junior forward Heather Kozimor (Hackettstown/Vienna, N.J.) alone at the left post, and Kozimor only had to tip the ball over the line to record her team-leading third goal of the season.

The Bombers doubled their lead in the second half, on a series of good passes. Senior defender Cathlin Fitzgerald (Kingsway Regional/Logan Township, N.J.) sent a long pass into the circle from the right side. Freshman midfielder Sam English (Ocean Township/Ocean, N.J.) tipped the ball ahead for Conroy, who shot between the goalkeeper's legs.

Sophomore goalkeeper Kelly Singleton (Irondequoit/Rochester) made eight saves and recorded her fourth win of the season. The Bombers held a 10-9 advantage in penalty corners.

Ithaca returns to action Oct. 13 at Rochester.

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