Box Score HOBOKEN, N.J. – The Ithaca College men's soccer team advanced to the Empire 8 Conference Championship with a thrilling 1-0 victory in overtime over Utica College in a cold and windy evening in Hoboken, N.J. on Friday, Nov. 7.
Ithaca (6-7-3) put the contest to an end with just 1:47 left in the first overtime on a strike by senior
Brandon Glass from 25 yards out. Glass settled a loose ball outside the box, turned and ripped a shot that beat Utica's David Abdou to send the Bombers to the conference title match at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
Before the conference foes played through more than 98 minutes of scoreless play, the first chance for either team to break the tie came with 29 minutes left in the first half on a corner kick from Utica. Jack Costanzo sent the service towards goal, and with the aid of a strong wind, hooked right into frame. Ithaca's senior goalkeeper
Jordan Gentile leaped up from his line and deflected the ball off the crossbar to erase the threat.
Just under seven minutes later, Ithaca was awarded a corner and nearly came up with a go-ahead goal, but a Utica defender was standing on the goal line to stop the Bombers' shot from going in.
At the 17-minute mark, Glass took a shot just a step within the 18 and sent it barely wide right of frame.
The Bombers had two more opportunities late in the first half to get a goal on the board but both attempts sailed high. Sophomores
Cobi Byrne and
Brandon Thompson took Ithaca's shots in the final five minutes.
In the second half, the only potential opportunity for either team to take a lead came on Ithaca's side when junior
Jordan Filipowich delivered a bullet shot right on goal, but Abdou held his position for the save.
Gentile made two saves in the contest for his sixth win of the season.
Ithaca outshot Utica, 14-4, and held a 6-3 edge in corner kicks.
In the other semifinal, No. 1 Stevens and No. 4 Alfred tied, 0-0, but Stevens advanced to the final in penalty kicks, 6-5. The penalty shots went into seven rounds before a victor was decided.
