ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca men's soccer team top Sage on Wednesday afternoon, 4-1, in non-conference action.
 
The Bombers quickly took control of the game, scoring just 4:51 in.
 
Zack Lichtman sent a cross into the box which went through the hands of Sage goalkeeper Michael Chiaravalloti. Nate Schoen was there to finish the job and put the Bombers up 1-0 over the Gators.
 
The next goal was in the 16^th minute when Luke Karen got a foot on a Lichtman ball, putting Ithaca up 2-0. Lichtman's assist total for the season is now at 10, which ties him for second all-time in a single season.
 
Sage scored its lone goal in the 34^th minute, when Heriberto Gomez sent a ball into the box from the right corner which found River Seybolt. The goal pulled the Gators with one and also put Seybolt in the Sage record books, moving him into first all-time for career goals with 36.
 
The Bombers held the 2-1 lead into the halftime break.
 
"There was a stretch at the end of the first half where we lost our way a bit," said Head Coach Kyle Dezotell. "But I thought we were fantastic for the first 30 minutes of the game and the majority of the second half."
 
Nearly 16 minutes into the second half, at the 60:43 mark, Nate Mansfield finished a pass from Karen to score his team-leading sixth goal of the season and give the Bombers a two-goal cushion.
 
The final goal of the game was scored by Max Barish on a pass from Jose Contreras in the 74^th minute.
 
The Gators continued to pressure Ithaca and had their share of chances, but none were successful.
 
One of the most promising opportunities for sage was in the 89^th minute when a handball in the box forced a penalty kick. Jonathan Ortega stepped up for the kick, but it was saved by Dan Hinckley in Ithaca's net.
 
Hinckley finished with four saves on the day, including the penalty kick. Chiaravalloti saved six shots for the Gators.
 
Statistically, Ithaca outshot Sage 2-1. The Bombers registered 24 shots on the day while Sage had 12.
 
The two teams were nearly even on corners, with Ithaca earning seven and the Gators recording six.
  
The Bombers are now 7-5-2 overall, with a winning non-conference slate of 5-2-1. It is the first time since 2012 that Ithaca has had a winning non-conference record.
 
"It has been many years since this program has had a winning non-conference season and we set this as one of three major goals at the beginning of the season," said Dezotell. "To not only have a winning non-conference season but to go 5-2-1 with our only two losses both being by only one goal and against top opposition is a great sign for the future of this program. This group of players wants to be the group to right the ship for Ithaca men's soccer rather than wait for the future."
 
The Bombers are back in action on Saturday against RPI for the final regular-season home game of the year.
 
"We now have another important Liberty League match on Saturday at home v. RPI," said Dezotell. "We look forward to preparing for it over the next few days. I have no doubt that we'll be ready."
 
The game is slated to start at 12 p.m. Prior to game time, Ithaca will be honoring its two seniors, Dan Hinckley and Eric Hepler.