ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's soccer team rounded out a stellar opening weekend with a 1-0 win over No. 5 Messiah in the final game of the Finger Lakes Fall Classic.
 
The Bombers, who are now 2-0 on the year, have not beaten a Top 10 opponent since the 2004 season when they beat No. 6 St. Lawrence and No. 7 Rowan. Messiah has won 11 National Championships, mostly recently bringing home the crown in 2017.
 
"We are very proud of the team for their commitment to our plan for today," said Head Coach Kyle Dezotell, "We executed our plan perfectly while recognizing Messiah was going to have a lot of the ball as they are one of the best teams in the country in possession."
 
The game was a battle from the first whistle, as both teams were strong on defense and limited the offensive opportunities.
 
Sophomore Alex Leahy ultimately scored the game-winner in the 52^nd minute of play. After a saved shot from Jonathan Kyriakidis, Leahy got a body on the ball as a Messiah defender cleared it and put it in the back of the net. The goal gave IC the lead and marked Leahy's second goal in as many games.
 
The Bombers offensively pushed to open the game, recording the first shot in the seventh minute. Tom Dillmann's attempt, however, was saved by goalkeeper Nate Flanders.
 
Although the Falcons got several shots off in the first half, none were on goal until the 35^th minute of play. IC goalkeeper Max Lichtenstein, however, came up with his first save of the game on a Darryl Daniels ball.
 
Ithaca's stayed strong in the box, blocking three shot attempts from Messiah in the first half.
 
In the opening minutes of the second half, the Falcon's tested Lichtenstein for the second time, but the goalkeeper came up with the save on Joseph's King's shot. Messiah earned a corner kick following the save, but a foul on the Falcons sent the ball the other way, leading to IC's goal less than five minutes later.
 
After some intense play in the midfield, Micah Fitz put a shot on frame for the Falcons, but once again Lichtenstein was there to make the save and preserve the lead for Ithaca.
 
The Bombers recorded just two shots in the remaining minutes of the game, both from Duncan Schnur, but the defense shined as it kept the Falcons off the board.
 
IC's defenders blocked a Shay Quintin shot in the 85^th minute before Lichtenstein came up with two saves in the 88^th minute to push the Bombers to the win.
 
"We are thrilled to go 2-0 having co-hosted one of the top season-opening tournaments in the entire country," said Dezotell. "Wins against NYU and Messiah are difficult wins to come by. Now it is important to make certain that this weekend is not our best weekend of the season. We will get back to work on Monday for Wednesday's game."
 
Ithaca travels to Morrisville state on Wednesday for a 4 p.m. match and head to United States Merchant Marine Academy on Sunday for a 12 p.m. start. IC is back on Carp Wood Field on Tuesday, September 10 for a 4:30 game against Hamilton.