ITHACA, N.Y. – The nationally-ranked Ithaca College women's soccer team suffered its first loss of the 2016 season on Saturday as the No. 18 Bombers fell to Cortland, 2-0, in the opening round of play in the Upstate Collegiate Cup tournament at Carp Wood Field.  With the loss, Ithaca, which jumped five spots in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, fell to 4-1-0 on the season while the Red Dragons improved to 4-1-0.

The Bombers found themselves on the defensive end of the field early and often in the first half as Cortland's offense controlled the tempo from the get-go.  The Red Dragons took 11 shots over the first 30 minutes of action before breaking through in the 34th minute after heading home a throw in from the sideline to take a 1-0 lead.

Cortland would double its lead in the 52nd minute when a loose ball in front of the Bombers' net was tapped into the corner of the goal to make it 2-0 in the Red Dragons' favor.

As time ticked away in the second half of play, Ithaca's offense seemed to come to life as the Bombers put four shots on goal including two from Jocelyn Ravesi in a span of six minutes, but the comeback bid was not to be as the Red Dragons held Ithaca's high-powered offense scoreless for the first time this season.

As a team, Ithaca took nine shots and was awarded three corner kicks.  Ravesi and Megan Nash took a team-high three shots while Holly Niemiec had two strikes.  Taylor Baranowsky had one shot for Ithaca.

Stacey DiGiorgio was tagged with the loss in net for Ithaca and moved to 4-1-0 overall.  The sophomore allowed two goals in 90 minutes and made a career-high nine saves.

Ithaca will return to the pitch at 2 p.m. on Sunday as it takes on the University of Rochester at Carp Wood Field.  No. 2 William Smith, which defeated Rochester, 3-1, in Saturday's other contest, will face Cortland for the Upstate Collegiate Cup Championship at 2 p.m. on Sunday in Cortland.