ITHACA, N.Y. – After each of their first home and away contests were postponed, the Ithaca College men's lacrosse team finally opened the 2023 season and they did it in style breezing past Lycoming 21-2 on Tuesday. The Bombers were able to get into their offensive sets early and often thanks to the team dominating the faceoffs.

The first goal of the season for Ithaca came via Charlie Niebuhr who netted an unassisted effort. The Bombers would go onto a 3-0 lead, which included back-to-back goals from John Sramac and another unassisted effort, this time from Jake Erickson.

Lycoming made it 3-1 with 5:12 left in the first quarter, but four more unanswered goals within the opening stanza were scored giving the Bombers a healthy lead. The final goal was scored on a nice combination between Jake Erickson who fed John Sramac who slotted it past the opposing goalie making it 7-1. It was more of the same for IC in the second quarter as they added four more scores coming from Jack Pastore, Connor Brumfield, Tim Rogers and Derek Stout.

It was more offensive fireworks in the second half with the Bombers netting 10 more second half goals, which included seven in the third quarter. John Sramac ended up with five goals, with Charlie Niebuhr, Derek Stout and Jake Erickson also netting a hat trick apiece. Erickson also assisted on four goals.

Chase Gulick was 24-of-25 in faceoffs as he also grabbed a game-high 14 ground balls. Demetri Lowry grabbed six ground balls while also causing three turnovers. Ryan LaForty got the win in net saving three shots in 45 minutes. Christian Bassi also made a pair of saves in just over seven minutes of action.

Ithaca College will remain at home hosting SUNY Geneseo at Higgins Stadium on Saturday, March 4. First face-off is slated for 12 p.m.