ITHACA, N.Y. - The Ithaca College field hockey team opened its 2021 campaign on its home turf on Wednesday evening when the Bombers took on Utica College at Higgins Stadium. In what has been a long-awaited return to regular season play, the Bombers' second half momentum propelled them to a 2-1 triumph over the visiting Pioneers. Ithaca played in its first game since November 6, 2019.
 
It's been 665 days since IC last competed in non-scrimmage action and head coach Kaitlyn Wahila's squad was more eager than ever to return to the field. Ithaca managed to control the majority of play throughout the duration of the game, as it finished with an 11-to-7 shots on goal advantage and led 12-to-6 in penalty corner opportunities.
 
Anchoring the Bombers offense were a pair of seniors in midfielder Jacqueline Mirabile and striker Samantha Horowitz. Mirabile scored her eleventh career goal in a Bombers uniform, while Horowitz finished with a goal.
 
In goal, senior goalkeeper Macy Brandwein had an impressive outing as she earned her first career victory as a starter. She clocked out on the evening with six saves while only surrendering one goal on 12 Utica shot attempts.
 
Defense was the narrative of the first quarter, as the Bombers only had one shot attempt and neither team could register a single point. Even though Ithaca was in Pioneer territory for the majority of the first half with a 4-to-2 shots on goal advantage, Utica struck first offensively. Forward Sabrina Whitehouse scored first for the Pioneers by belting a shot past Macy Brandwein from the left corner of the scoring arc to hand Utica a 1-0 lead midway through the second quarter.
 
The deficit evaporated quickly, however, as the Bombers offense finally capitalized in the early stages of the second half. Less than a minute into the third quarter, Mirabile finished off a rebound from a corner kick by netting a shot to tie things up at one apiece.
 
Following a back-and-forth defensive affair in the final quarter, it was Horowitz that came in clutch for the Bombers. The Longmeadow High School product delivered an electrifying game-winning score, ripping a shot that eluded the Utica keeper to put Ithaca ahead 2-1 with 1:39 remaining in regulation. First-year midfielder Natalie Descalso was credited with the assist on the play.

Brandwein earned her first win as she made six saves on the evening, including four in the fourth quarter.
 
Ithaca's next contest marks its first road game of the season, as the Bombers travel to Rochester, N.Y. for a date with St. John Fisher College on Saturday, September 4. The game is slated to begin at noon.