CORTLAND, N.Y. – After a lengthy lightning delay, the Ithaca College women's soccer team was firing on all cylinders on Wednesday evening and won their third-straight game to begin the 2021 season. The Bombers used a pair of first half goals to pick up a 2-0 win over local rival SUNY Cortland.

In the 16^th minute, Alex Epifani threaded in a beautiful through ball that found the feet of junior forward Delaney Rutan who slotted her first goal of the season into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Up 1-0, the Bombers continued to threaten Cortland in their defensive third of the field and the constant pressure was rewarded with another goal.

Sophomore forward Rosie Bostian slotted the ball past the opposing keeper to give Ithaca the 2-0 lead at the 24:42 mark of the first half. The goal was once again assisted by Alex Epifani who put Kiersten Becker on her heels before passing it to Bostian who tapped the ball into the back of the net.

The Bombers carried the 2-0 advantage into the halftime break and recorded nine shots within the half placing three on target. Neither team was able to get on the scoresheet during the second half, but IC continued to be the more dangerous squad. The closest they came to adding another insurance effort was when the Bombers recorded three straight shot attempts within the 86^th minute beginning with a Rosie Bostian effort that was saved and then concluded with an Alex Epifani effort that was also corralled by Kiersten Becker.

The closest Cortland got to scoring was at the 4:56 mark of the first half, but Bombers goalkeeper Claire Reader was up for the challenge saving Simone Neivel's effort. Reader finished with five saves to earn her third victory of the season. IC outshot their opponent by a 20-13 margin.

Ithaca will look to continue stringing momentum together and return to action hosting Mount Saint Mary College (N.Y.) at Carp Wood Field on Sunday, September 12. Game time is slated for 2 p.m.