UTICA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's soccer team was tagged with its first loss in conference play on Saturday as the Bombers fell to Utica, 1-0, at Charles Gaetano Stadium.  With the loss, Ithaca's slide to 4-5 overall and 2-1 in the Empire 8 standings while the Pioneers improved to 2-8 on the season, 1-2 in conference play.

The game's only goal came in the 66th minute after Utica was awarded a free kick from roughly 25 yards out.  The ensuing kick was just out of Ithaca goalie Zach Jacobsen's reach as the Pioneers put the ball into the top right corner for what turned out to be the game-winning tally.

 With just under 24 minutes left to play in the game and trailing by one goal, the Bombers had two opportunities to tie with shots on goal in the 82nd and 90th minutes, respectively, but the Pioneers came up with the save each time en route to their first conference win.

Jacobsen took the loss for Ithaca in goal and moved to 4-4 overall.  The senior keeper made five saves in all.

The Bombers were credited with 11 shots in the game including eight on goal.  Freshman Max Barish took a team-high four shots while Kevin Turi, Sam Boylan and Nathan Schoen each took two shots.  In all, Ithaca had six corners compared to just two for the Pioneers.

Ithaca will face Hobart at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Geneva.