POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's soccer team closed out the regular-season on a high note, as the Bombers defeated Vassar, 3-0, behind two goals from sophomore Alex Epifani.
 
With the win, the Bombers secure second place in the upcoming Liberty League Tournament, earning a bye in the first round and heading straight into next weekend's semifinals. Ithaca, which is 13-2-2 on the season and 7-2-0 in the Liberty League, will play the winner of RIT and Vassar next Saturday, November 3, at top-seeded William Smith.
 
IC took control from the jump scoring just 1:37 into the game. Epifani took a cross from junior McKensie Galusha to give the Bombers an early 1-0 lead.
 
Epifani once again had the hot foot in the 34^th minute, as she drilled a shot from 10 yards out, past goalkeeper Fiona Walsh, pushing IC's advantage to 2-0. Epifani's two goals on the day give her a team and conference-leading nine goals.
 
Ithaca came out in the second half to score its third and final goal 20 minutes in. Junior Ally Christman netted a ball from the left side into the right post, through Walsh's fingers. The goal gave IC a 3-0 edge and marked Christman's second of the year.
 
Following their first goal, the Bombers continued to pressure on the offensive end, testing Walsh time and time again.
 
Less than one minute after the goal, junior Gabrielle Mihale sent a header to goal, which Walsh saved.
 
Leavitt followed that up with a shot in the fifth minute, which hit the cross bar. Senior Sarah Pirnie sent the rebound in, forcing Walsh to make the stop.
 
Christman had a solid chance in the sixth minute, but her shot hit the post and bounced out.
 
Vassar took its first shot of the game in the 10^th minute, but Rebecca Andrew's attempt was wide.
 
With a 2-0 IC lead, senior goalkeeper Stacey DiGiorgio was tested for the first time, coming up with the save on Sara Seper's shot.
 
That sent things the other way, giving the Bombers a chance to add onto to their lead before halftime. Shots from Mihale, Megan Buttinger and Reid Garner, however, were all blocked by defenders.
 
Out of the halftime, DiGiorgion made her second save of the day, once again on a Seper shot, just 1:04 in.
 
Back on IC's offensive end, Jenny Lidwin had a solid chance in the 49^th minute, but her shot was ultimately saved by Walsh. The Bombers kept in on their side, registering two more shots from Pirnie and Sam Robinson, but both were wide.
 
Ithaca tested Walsh once more following the third goal of the day. Walsh made the save on the Mihale shot in the 73^rd minute, not allowing any more damage.
 
DiGiorgio added to her save total as well, stopping two shots from Emma Tanner in the 77^th and 81^st minutes.
 
Statistically, IC outshot Vassar 19-13, while both teams registered eight corner kicks.
 
DiGiorgio earned the win and the shutout after making four saves for IC, while Walsh stopped six in the net for the Brewers.
 
The Bombers make the short trip to Geneva next Saturday for the semifinal round of the Liberty League Tournament. IC awaits the winner of RIT and Vassar, which is set to be played on Tuesday afternoon.