ITHACA, N.Y. - The Ithaca College men's soccer team will kick off their 2023 season on Saturday, September 2 at Carp Wood Field when the Bombers take on Fredonia State at 2 p.m. in the first match of this Labor Day weekend. Their second game will be Monday, September 4 at Carp Wood Field as the Bombers will host Wilkes University at 2 p.m. 

Head Coach Garret Eldridge returns for his fourth season at the helm of the program and is excited for yet another season of Bombers men's soccer. Coach Eldridge has been very excited with how the preseason has gone for his squad. 

"I think the guys have shown up with the correct mindset to get better, which is all we can ask for as coaches. We have simplified our approach this year and are focused on going 1-0 each day and getting better," Eldridge said. 

Eldridge is hopeful that his enthusiasm throughout the preseason will carry over into the regular season.

"We are very excited to start the year with two fantastic opponents. Fredonia and Wilkes will both be great tests for us. Wilkes is coming off of a solid 2022 campaign in a tough league. Fredonia will be a unique test for us with their physical play and attacking talent up front," Eldridge added.. 

It was tough sledding for the Bombers, who went 3-9-5 last year, including a 2-4-3 record in the conference. IC will be looking to capture their first Liberty League title since 2017. 

Team captains Brendan Lebitsch and Conor Baird along with returning members Alex Cabeca and Connor Tierney are expected to be crucial pieces both on and off the pitch in providing maturity and experience for the team.

"Both {Brendan} Lebitsch and {Conor} Baird are great people and special players in their own way. Brendan with how physically imposing he is and Conor with his ability on the ball," Eldridge said. "In addition, Alex {Cabeca} and Connor {Tierney} have come back to campus in great shape and will look to make a big impact for us." 

There are high expectations this season surrounding the Bombers men's soccer team despite having a rough year in 2022.

"We feel we are a talented group that can win any game we play. Our goals for the year, however, are much more focused on daily details that we can control. Our results will be a byproduct of the work we do in preparation for each match," Eldridge said.  

In addition to the upperclassmen that are back, there are several freshmen that can make an immediate impact. The coaching staff has seen the contributions being made across the board.

"Selfishly as a coach I want to play an attractive brand of soccer that brings people out to watch. I feel the newcomers will add to that brand and will bring flair to our group. We are a high energy team and high energy staff. I am confident the first-year players will add to that culture and style," Eldridge said. 

The Bombers ended last season on a three-game losing streak, yet remained competitive in every single game they played throughout the season.

Following their season-opening Labor Day weekend homestand, the Bombers will travel to play Misericordia University in a non-conference matchup on Thursday, September 7 at 7 p.m. before returning to Carp Wood Field on Wednesday, September 13 against Alfred State College at 4 p.m., followed by matchups at SUNY Brockport (September 16) and Cortland (September 20).

The first string of Liberty League games for the Bombers will be a three-game homestand from September 23-30. These matchups include Bard College, Hobart College, and St. Lawrence University.

This is followed by a brief pause in Liberty League action as the Bombers will travel to Hamilton College on October 3 for their final non-conference showdown. 

The second string of Liberty League games include six matchups with the first five games being all road matches from October 7-24. These include Clarkson University, Union College, Skidmore College, Vassar College, and RIT. 

The final Liberty League game and the regular season finale for IC will be on the friendly confines of Carp Wood Field. The Bombers will take on RPI on Saturday, October 28 at 2 p.m.

All Ithaca College home games will provide live statistics and webcasts to viewers. Links are available on the men's soccer schedule. Game programs will also be posted to the schedule ahead of each home contest.