SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Ithaca College field hockey team hit the road on Saturday when it looked to score an upset against the 12^th-ranked team in the country when it faced Skidmore in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., this afternoon. Unfortunately, IC struggled to gain traction on the offensive end, falling to the talented Thoroughbreds by a 4-0 margin. The loss drops Ithaca's record to 6-5 on the year and 1-2 in Liberty League action.
 
The home-side pulled ahead in the 13^th-minute of play, when Gabby Hyman deflected home a shot over IC keeper Savanna Lenker off a perfect shot-pass from Miranda Davenport. To that point, IC had played evenly with their nationally-ranked counterparts. The shot total was just 2-to-1 in favor of the home side at the time of the goal, with junior Maddy Ryan denied on a hard shot off a penalty corner just two minutes before Skidmore's tally.
 
With the lead, Skidmore pressed the Bombers throughout most of the remainder of the half. The home side out-shot IC 6-to-0 over the final 22 minutes, while it had six additional penalty corner opportunities. Lenker did well to keep Ithaca close, making seven saves in the opening half to keep the deficit just 1-0 through 35 minutes.
 
Sadly, Skidmore's pressure was too much for IC to repel once play resumed. The Thoroughbreds struck for three goals in the second half to pull away in the contest. Seeley Fancher doubled Skidmore's lead in the 50^th-minute, depositing a rebound after her initial shot was turned away by Lenker. Miranda Davenport sealed the game with a pair of goals over a 2:04 stretch with around 15 minutes remaining.
 
Ryan finished with both of Ithaca's shots on goal in the contest. Amanda Schell had IC's other shot attempt.
 
Lenker finished with 10 saves in 56:16 of action. It was her third outing with double-digit saves on the year. Freshman Ariyahna Bernard relieved Lenker for the remainder of the contest following Skidmore's fourth score. She turned away one shot during her first collegiate appearance.
 
Ithaca returns to action on Friday, October 13, when it welcomes another nationally-ranked foe in University of Rochester to Higgins Stadium. Start time for the Liberty League clash is slated for 4:00 p.m.