UTICA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College field hockey program secured the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Empire 8 Conference Championship with a 2-1 victory at Utica College on Saturday afternoon. It will be the first time that Ithaca has ever hosted the Empire 8 Tournament dating back to 2007.
Heading into today's conference slate, the Bombers and St. John Fisher were tied atop the standings, with Fisher holding the head-to-head advantage. The Cardinals traveled to Washington & Jefferson today and fell to the Presidents, 2-1.
The Empire 8 Tournament will take place on Nov. 6-7. Ithaca will play at 3 p.m. against an opponent still to be determined. The other semifinal contest is scheduled for 6 p.m. between Fisher and another TBD team. The final will take place at 4 p.m. on the 7th.
Ithaca fell behind Utica just 5:53 into the contest. The Bombers would knot the game up at 1-1 in the 29th minute on the first goal of the season for senior
Olivia Salindong off a pass from junior
Colleen Keegan-Twombly. On the goal, Salindong made a diving attempt at the pass from Keegan-Twombly and popped the ball over the Utica goalkeeper's head.
Three minutes into the second half, Keegan-Twombly cashed in a on a pass from sophomore
Michaela Donohue for the eventual game-winning goal. The tally was Keegan-Twombly's 12th goal of the game and fifth game-winner. It was also the fifth assist for Donohue this season.
Junior
Katie Lass improved her record to 11-3 on the year with four saves. Entering the contest, Lass ranked third nationally in save percentage and seventh in goals against average. As a team, Ithaca was second in the country with a .889 save percentage.
Ithaca outshot Utica, 13-9, but the Pioneers held an 11-5 advantage in penalty corners.
The Bombers travel to Geneseo on Oct. 28 at 4 p.m. Ithaca will then host Brockport on Oct. 31 at noon for Senior Day.
