ITHACA, N.Y. – Two players notched goals on Saturday as the Ithaca College men's soccer team clinched a berth in the upcoming Empire 8 Championship after shutting out Alfred University, 2-0, in an Empire 8 matchup at Carp Wood Field. With the win, Ithaca moved to 6-7-0 overall and now sits at 4-1-0 in the conference standings.  The Saxons fell to 7-5-2 and 1-2-2 against conference opponents.

With the game still scoreless after the first half of play, the Bombers looked to turn the tide early in the second half with two corner kicks, but the Saxons' defense was able to clear the ball out of the offensive zone each time. 

After swapping possessions over the next few minutes, Ithaca would once again be awarded a corner kick in the 63rd minute.  This time Sam Boylan's offering found its mark as Ellis Masterman headed in his first goal of the season to stake Ithaca to a 1-0 lead.

Holding a one-goal lead late in the second half, Ithaca would turn a potential scoring opportunity for the Saxons into their own after freshman Max Barish came away with possession on an Alfred corner kick when Justin Pintak tapped it out before Barish broke away and took the ball the length of the field for his first-career goal to give Ithaca a 2-0 lead in the 88th minute.

Alfred had one final attempt, but the shot sailed wide as Ithaca earned its fifth shutout of the season.

Zach Jacobsen had four saves in his sixth win of the season and played all 90 minutes in goal for the Bombers. 

Ithaca held a slight advantage in shots, 17-13, and took eight corners while the Saxons had four.

The Bombers will continue their four-game home stand at 1 p.m. on Saturday when they host Houghton College, which currently sits in first place in the conference standings, at Carp Wood Field.  The Bombers will celebrate their senior class prior to kickoff.