KINGS POINT, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's soccer team suffered its first loss of the season on Sunday as the Bombers fell to Merchant Marine, 2-1, on the road. Ithaca is now 3-1 on the season.
 
After pressure from Ithaca in the opening minutes, the Mariners wasted no time in capitalizing on their offense for a goal.
 
Just 8:48 into the match, Merchant Marine's Nick Roros scored following a throw in to give the Mariners the early 1-0 edge.
 
Merchant Marine kept up the pressure on IC's defense, earning a corner kick in the 10^th minute and testing goalkeeper Max Lichtenstein in the 12^th. Lichtenstein, however, came up with the save on Sam McGill's attempt.
 
The Bombers put together plays on the offensive end in the ensuing minutes, but a shot from Jack Monnes was blocked by a Mariners' defender, and two corners in the 14^th and 15^th minutes did not lead to any goals.
 
Merchant Marine put in what would ultimately be the game-winning goal in the 23^rd minute, as David Kelly put in a pass from Zach Lysakowski.
 
Ithaca looked to cut the lead prior to heading into halftime, but were unsuccessful. The Bombers' best chance, in the 41^st minute, was a shot from Monnes, but was saved by Merchant Marine goalkeeper Matthew Milner.
 
Ithaca had an offensive push in the second half, starting with an Ali Kapasi shot in the 67^th minute, but that was saved by Milner. Zack Lichtman also got off a shot in the 67^th minute, but it was blocked by a Mariners' defender.
 
The Bombers cut Merchant Marine's lead in half in the 73^rd minute. Sophomore Thomas Pierce sent in a corner kick, which was ultimately knocked in by the Mariners for an own-goal.
 
Looking for the equalizer, Ithaca got off two shots in the 73^rd minute. Lichtman's shot was just high as it hit the crossbar, and Kevin Turi's attempt sailed over the goal.
 
As the clocked ticked down, IC put one more shot on goal, but Alex Leahy's shot in the 87^th minute was saved by Milner.
 
"We received a good wake-up call today from a very hard-working USMMA squad," said Head Coach Kyle Dezotell. "They completely out-played and out-hustled us for the first 30 minutes of the game and deserve a ton of credit for their victory. In the second half, we showed what we are capable of and created more than enough chances to tie up the game."
 
The Bombers return to action on Tuesday afternoon with a 4:30 p.m. match against Hamilton on Carp Wood Field.
 
"We'll pick ourselves up and get back to work tomorrow to prepare for Hamilton on Tuesday," said Dezotell.