ITHACA, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 25 Ithaca College field hockey team will play for its second Liberty League title in three years as the Bombers took down Vassar, 3-0, on Friday in a semifinal matchup at Higgins Stadium. The Bombers are now 14-5 on the season and will face William Smith on Sunday for the Liberty League's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship. Game time is 12 p.m.
Vassar drew the first corner of the game at the 12:21 mark of the opening corner and immediately fired off a shot, which was saved by
Alex Clough.
The Bombers earned their initial corner with 2:35 remaining in the first quarter. After another whistle, IC took another corner and scored off that try, but it was called off due to a high stick.
Vassar picked up another corner with 4.6 seconds left but the ensuing shot sailed wide to end the first quarter in a scoreless tie.
The Brewers picked up another corner with 7:12 to go in the second quarter but gave the ball back to IC after a foul. IC would score another goal at 4:19 but it was waved off once again.
Ithaca took a 1-0 lead on the ensuing corner with 4:12 left in the half as
Brenna Schoenfeld sent the insert to the top of the circle and then
Emma Garver found
Meara Bury uncovered at the near post for a tip-in goal.
IC extended its lead to 2-0 late in the third quarter with 3:59 on the clock as
Natalie Descalso sent a cross that evaded multiple sticks and found
Catherine Papa for a point-blank shot.
The Bombers added an insurance goal with 6:44 remaining in the contest as Descalso scored from the left wing off a pass from Garver. The play started on a corner attempt, which was inserted by Papa to
Madeleine Goodman and then sent over to Garver to set up an open shot for Descalso.
Ithaca only took four shots in the game but made the most of its opportunities. IC also earned four corners.
Clough made three saves to improve to 13-4 on the year.
