ITHACA, N.Y. – In a high-scoring affair at Higgins Stadium, the Ithaca College men's lacrosse team came out on top against Nazareth College, winning 15-14 after the game-winning goal was scored in the fourth quarter.
 
The Bombers offense was led by attackmen Blake Eischen, Jake Erickson and midfielder Connor Brumfield, each tallying a hat trick. Erickson also passed out two assists and added a late goal, leading all players in the contest with six points. On the defensive side, defenseman Wesley Hudkins forced a team-high three turnovers, and also scored his first goal of the season. Goalkeeper Ryan LaForty made 17 saves on 31 shots on goal to record his sixth win in seven appearances.
 
Both offenses wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard, as Eischen, Brumfield and Erickson each scored within the first four minutes of the game to lead IC to the 3–2 advantage. The pace of the game calmed down after, as both teams started to settle into their sets instead of trading scoring chances off the rush. Another goal by Brumfield would be followed by two Nazareth goals to tie the game at four goals apiece, but Eischen gave the Bombers the lead with his second of the game with just under four minutes left in the first quarter. Nazareth led the first quarter in shots on goal with 11 and just seven for the Bombers, but Laforty's seven saves gave the South Hill squad enough time to get its offense going.
 
The Bombers entered the second quarter leading 5–4, but that lead was quickly erased by two Golden Flyers goals just four minutes into the period. However, Hudkins cleaned up the ensuing faceoff and created his own fast break to get his first goal of the season and tie the game at six with 11 minutes before halftime. After the Golden Flyers responded with 10 minutes left, Brumfield scored his third goal of the contest with five minutes remaining to tie the game at 7–7.
 
After an even first half, the box score looked very similar on both sides. Shots on goal were 19–14 Golden Flyers, but the visitors had an advantage in faceoffs and ground balls, leading those categories 14–3 and 18-13 respectively.
 
The Bombers came flying out of halftime with the offense not missing a beat after the break, with Eischen and Erickson adding to their goal totals, and midfielder Drew Turner and attackman Kyle Proctor also getting on the board in the first five minutes. Play settled down shortly after as the Bombers still controlled possession and got goals from midfielder Derek Stout and Erickson in the final four minutes to put a cap on a dominating quarter of play. The Bombers led the Golden Flyers in shots on goal, ground balls, and faceoffs for the third quarter to propel them to a 13–8 lead entering the final frame.
 
However, the Golden Flyers did not go down without a fight. The visitors would score three goals in the first five minutes of the quarter to get within closing distance of 13–11. Erickson would score his fourth of the game with seven minutes remaining to slow the momentum, but with four minutes left in regulation, the game was tied 14–14. On the faceoff after the Golden Flyers tied the contest, freshman Chase Gulick won the draw for the Bombers, and Drew Turner put them ahead for good with 2:52 left in the game. The Bombers possessed the ball for most of what was left in regulation, and the Golden Flyers were unable to force overtime on a late clear attempt.
 
The Bombers improve to 7–1 on the season and have averaged 15 goals per game to 8.75 goals allowed per game. Erickson's four goals increase his season total to 24 on the season and 42 points, both of which are career highs. Eischen's goals add to his increasing career-high total of 13 goals this season, and Brumfield has 17 goals and 24 points on the season.
 
The Bombers next game is at noon on Saturday, March 26 in Potsdam, New York in their first Liberty League game of the season against the 8-0 Clarkson University Golden Knights.