Box Score PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The Ithaca College field hockey team returned to action on Saturday evening when it traveled to St. John Fisher for a big Empire 8 showdown against the Cardinals. With both teams still firmly in the chase for the top seed and hosting rights for the upcoming conference tournament, it was Fisher that gained the upper hand with a 3-0 victory over the Bombers to drop IC to a 5-4 record on the year and a 3-2 mark in conference play.
 
It took a while for the contest to open up as Ithaca and Fisher battled through a tightly contested opening half. The Cardinals held the territorial edge with an 8-to-2 shot advantage in the opening 35 minutes; however, senior keeper, Katie Lass, turned away all six directed at her cage.
 
The home side continued to hold the field position advantage during the second session and would translate that into three goals to snap Ithaca's winning streak at three. It also marked just the second time this season that IC was held off to scoreboard.
 
Lauren Fazio broke the scoreless deadlock in the 53^rd minute when she deposited a rebound past Lass to list the home side to a 1-0 advantage. The goal snapped Ithaca's shutout streak at a season-best 262 minutes and 33 seconds dating back to its contest against Stevens.
 
The Cardinals doubled the advantage in the 55^th minute, as Emily Markarian took a pass from Reghan Amoroso and ripped a shot that eluded Lass. Kelly Bergamo capped the scoring in the 66^th minute.
 
The Bombers threatened to battle back several times in throughout a much better second half for the offense. IC generated six penalty corners, but was unable to find the back of the cage after scoring 18 goals over its last three games entering Saturday. Seniors, Colleen Keegan-Twombly and Cassie Schuttrumpf, each finished with three shot attempts and one shot on goal apiece.
 
Lass finished with a season-best 17 saves for Ithaca.
 
Ithaca returns to action on Saturday, October 8, when it travels to Geneva, N.Y., to face nationally-ranked William Smith College at 12:00 p.m.