ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's soccer team earned the No. 2 seed as they prepare for their upcoming match in the Liberty League semifinals. The Bombers concluded the regular season on a four-game winning streak as they pitched shutouts against RPI and Vassar College down the stretch. Ithaca will play Union College at William Smith in Geneva, N.Y., Saturday, Nov. 6 at 1:30 p.m. IC is 13-3 on the season and Union is 9-7-2.

RIT and William Smith will also face off on Saturday in the other Liberty League semifinal game at 11 a.m. The winners of the semifinal games will play in the Liberty League championship game on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 1:30 p.m.

Admission to William Smith soccer games is free. Fans are asked to monitor their health and stay home if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Fans can follow along with the weekend action via the webcast, radio broadcast and live stats.

LIBERTY LEAGUE HISTORY:
Ithaca College and RIT have not won a Liberty League championship in women's soccer and will look to be crowned conference champions for the first-time ever in their respective program's history.

William Smith has won the league title 17 times: 1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, and consecutively from the 2007 season to their most latest during the 2020 season. The Herons were also National Champions during the 2013 season.

Union College has won six league titles: 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005 and 2006.

HISTORY BETWEEN ITHACA AND UNION:
Ithaca and Union College have played each other six times since 1999, their last bout ending in a 3-2 double-overtime win for the Bombers during the regular season. Ithaca have won four-straight matches against the Dutchwomen and lead them 4-2 all-time.

They met on October 16 and the decisive goal was scored at the 101:04 mark on a corner kick. A scramble in front of the goal occurred after the corner and Allison Heft was there to tap the ball past the goalkeeper as the team rushed the field to celebrate with first year defender.

SCOUTING ITHACA:
No. 2 seeded Ithaca, which is receiving votes in both the United Soccer Coaches poll and the D3soccer.com poll climbed to No. 2 in Region III in the most recent NCAA Division III regional poll that came out on Wednesday.

Alex Epifani leads the Bombers with five goals and seven assist for 17 points on the season. Fellow graduate student Kelsey Espenhorst is second on the team with five goals and one assist for 11 points.

Reigning Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week Claire Reader has started all 16 games for Ithaca in net. She has recorded a 13-3 record with eight shutouts and has a sparkling goals against average of 0.79. 

SCOUTING UNION:
Union head into Saturday's Liberty League semifinal riding a four-game win streak. The last time they were defeated was against Ithaca as the Dutchwomen have secured wins over Clarkson, Skidmore, RIT, and most recently an overtime win against Vassar in the Liberty League quarterfinals. Union is 10-7-0 all-time in the Liberty League Tournament, including its four conference championships.

The Dutchwomen have a two-prong scoring attack with senior Erin O'Shea leading the team with five goals and four assists for 14 points on the season. Classmate Emma Schleimer is right behind her with four goals and three assists, which is good for 11 points.

THE NCAA DIVISION III CHAMPIONSHIP:
The 2021 DIII women's soccer selection show is Monday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. The selections will mark the DIII women's soccer championship's return after cancelation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

UNC Greensboro will host the semifinal and national championship rounds at UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina, Dec. 3-4. The semifinal and national championship rounds will be streamed live on NCAA.com.

Here is what you need to know.

When: The 2021 DIII women's soccer championship selection show is Monday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.

Where: The selection show will be live streamed on NCAA.com.

Below is the schedule for the 2021 DIII women's soccer championships:

First round

• Saturday, Nov. 13 | Multiple Sites
• Sunday, Nov. 14 | Multiple Sites

Second round

• Sunday, Nov. 14 | Multiple Sites

Sectionals

• Saturday, Nov. 20 | Multiple Sites
• Sunday, Nov. 21 | Multiple Sites

Semifinals

• Friday, Dec. 3| Semifinal I: 11 a.m. ET | UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro, NC
• Friday, Dec. 3 | Semifinal II: 1:45 p.m. ET | UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro, NC

National Championship

• Saturday, Dec. 4| National Championship: 2:30 p.m. ET | UNCG Soccer Stadium in Greensboro, NC