ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's lacrosse team will compete for the Empire 8 championship this weekend as the conference tournament takes place Saturday and Sunday at Nazareth College in Rochester. Ithaca will play a semifinal game Saturday at 11 a.m. against Nazareth. St. John Fisher will face Stevens in the other semifinal game at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The semifinal winners will meet in Sunday's championship game at noon.
 
The Empire 8 tournament began in its current four-team format in 2004. Ithaca has qualified for the Empire 8 tournament 10 times in its 12 years of its existence, including this year. The Bombers have played in the championship game eight times, and Ithaca won the title in 2004 and 2008.
 
Two teams finished tied for first in the regular season with 7-1 Empire 8 records. Nazareth is the top seed due to its head-to-head victory over second-seed St. John Fisher. Ithaca and Stevens were tied for third in the conference with 6-2 records. Stevens defeated Ithaca in double overtime in the regular season and was awarded the tournament's third seed.
 
In the regular-season meeting between Ithaca and Nazareth, the Bombers won 16-6 at Higgins Stadium, handing Nazareth its first and only loss of the year in Empire 8 play. Ithaca, Nazareth and St. John Fisher all received votes in the latest IWLCA Division III Poll.
 
Admission to Golden Flyer Stadium each day will cost $5 for the general public, $2 for students, faculty and staff of participating institutions, $2 for youth and senior citizens. Children under the age of 12 will be admitted free. Coverage links and additional tournament information is available below.
 
Video Webcast | Live Stats
 
Empire 8 Tournament Preview
 
Nazareth College Tournament Information Page
 
2015 Ithaca Season Stats