Game Info
Ithaca (5-5, 3-2 E8) at Hartwick (9-3, 3-2 E8)
Saturday, October 15, 2016 | 1:00 P.M.
Wright Stadium | Oneonta, N.Y.
 
Game Coverage
Live Stats | Video Stream
 
Last Time Out
Ithaca dropped its latest contest, a 6-2 decision at 13^th-ranked William Smith last Saturday. The nationally-ranked Herons scored four times in the first half and added two more in the second to take a 6-0 lead. However, Ithaca battled to the ends, scoring two goals over the final 10 minutes to avoid the shutout. The defeat dropped Ithaca's record back to an even-.500 on the year at 5-5.
 
Postseason Landscape
This Saturday's contest between the Bombers and the Hawks could go a long way to determining which of the two teams qualifies for next month's Empire 8 Tournament. Currently, Ithaca and Hartwick are tied for the fourth and final berth to the conference tournament, both entering the weekend with a 3-2 mark in conference play. St. John Fisher leads the conference with an unbeaten 5-0 record, while Stevens (5-1) and Washington & Jefferson (4-1) occupy the other prospective postseason spots. IC has the easier schedule down the stretch, as it faces third-place W&J and an Elmira squad that is 0-5 in conference play. The Hawks still have dates against the top two squads in Fisher and Stevens. The winner on Saturday will undoubtedly have the inside track heading into the final two weeks of the regular season.
 
Keegan-Twombly Closing In on Career Charts
Senior forward, Colleen Keegan-Twombly, continues to close in on the all-time goal scoring chart. She tallied her ninth goal of the season in the loss to the Herons, bringing her career total to 82 points and 34 career goals. She sits just eight back of Sue Bender '93 for fifth on the program's all-time list; a mark she could reach with a strong finish to the season. She currently ranks in a tie for second in the Empire 8 in scoring this season with 22 points on nine goals and four assists.
 
Lass Poised to Crack Top-Five in Career Saves
Senior goalkeeper, Katie Lass, put together her finest effort of the season albeit in a losing effort against the nationally-ranked Herons last Saturday. She marked a season-high 19 saves against William Smith, bringing her career total to 448. Lass currently needs just seven stops to tie Karen Patterson '80 (455) for fifth on the program's all-time list. Although Karen Hollands '94 program-best 550 stops may be slightly out of reach, Lass has a decent chance at climbing all the way to second on the list, which is currently occupied by Karen Howarth '86 with 488 career saves.
 
Scouting Hartwick
The Hawks enter Saturday's contest with a 9-3 record on the year and a 3-2 mark in Empire 8 play. Hartwick has been hot over its most recent stretch with wins in three straight contests, which included in-conference triumphs over Houghton, 3-2 (2OT), and Elmira, 2-1. The Hawks have been extremely tough on opponents in their home venue, going 5-1 on the year at Wright Stadium. Sarah Ryan leads Hartwick with 15 points on six goals and three assists. Lex Richards has also been potent offensively with five goals and two assists. Shannon Carter has seen the lion's share of the minutes in Hartwick's cage, entering the weekend with 95 saves and a 0.99 goals against average. Her .888 save percentage is good for second best in the Empire 8.
 
Looking Ahead
Ithaca makes it much anticipated return home on Tuesday, October 18, when it welcomes non-conference foe Susquehanna to Higgins Stadium for a 4:00 p.m. clash.