UTICA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College field hockey team hoped to close out its three-game road trip to begin the regular season on a high note when it traveled to old Empire 8 rival Utica College on Wednesday evening. Unfortunately, the Bombers came out on the wrong end of a second half goal flurry, as the Pioneers scored twice in the span of 2:03 en route to a 3-1 win at Gaetano Stadium. The defeat drops IC to a 1-2 record on the year in advance of the team's home opener this coming weekend.
 
The first mid-week contest of the season saw lots of fireworks; however, it was the goalies that stole the show in the opening 35 minutes. The Bombers offense had little trouble creating shots on goal in the first half, firing a season-best eight on goal during the frame. Despite the strong offensive performance, IC was repeatedly foiled by Pioneer net-minder Samantha Whitehouse, who was the reigning Empire 8 Goalie of the Week following a strong showing on the opening weekend. Not to be outdone, Ithaca keeper Savanna Lenker continued her strong start to the season with five saves in a spotless opening half.
 
Following the break, the field was tilted in favor of the home side for the majority of the second half. The Pioneers outshot the Bombers 19-to-1 in attempts, which included disparities of 14-to-1 in shots on goal and 10-to-1 in penalty corner opportunities.
 
Despite the hefty advantage, Lenker and the Ithaca defense, which recorded defensive saves from juniors Maddie Keppel and Kimmy Briscoe in the game, held firm as time ticked down in the second session. Lenker finished with 14 saves in the contest, but the Pioneers were able to finally break through with just under 20-minutes remaining.
 
Utica gained a 1-0 lead with 19:35 left in the game when Madison Williams tapped in a cross-crease pass from Josie Sgarlatta. However, the Bombers showed strong resolve to answer back almost immediately in one of their rare forays into the attacking zone in the second half. Senior Michaela Donohue continued her hot scoring touch, taking a centering pass from junior Meg Dowd and burying a shot between the pads of Whitehouse to equalize the game at 1-1 just 54-seconds after William's ice-breaking goal.
 
Unfortunately, Utica's momentum was only stymied momentarily, as the home side took the lead right back with 17:32 left in the game. Sabrina Whitehouse picked out a pass to Joanna Gaertner, who shuffled the game-winning shot into the cage to reestablish the Utica lead at 2-1. Melissa Koch sealed the game with her second goal of the season to give the Pioneers the 3-1 lead with nine minutes to go.
 
Donohue finished with the Bombers lone goal, while Dowd had the lone assist in the contest. Junior Maria McGloin finished with a team-best three shots on goal, while sophomore Kendall Keil posted two shots on target. Five other players registered a shot for IC.
 
Ithaca makes its home debut on Saturday, September 9, when it welcomes Misericordia to Higgins Stadium. Start time for the home opener is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.