ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College field hockey team got its 2023 season underway on Friday afternoon at Higgins Stadium, but the Bombers wound up on the wrong end of a 3-0 decision against No. 17 Kean University.

It was a fairly even matchup in terms of shots and corners, as Kean led in both categories, 18-13 and 14-8. The Cougars did, however, make the most of their chances close to the cage and utilizes redirections in the second half to pull away from IC.

There was no score after the opening 15 minutes of action as both team fired two shots, placing one on goal. IC had an early chance to take the lead, but a centering pass from Natalie Descalso slipped by two other Bombers to keep the game scoreless approximately five minutes into the game.

The Cougars took a 1-0 lead late in the second period as Kean produced three quick shots off a corner, the third of which beat first-year goalkeeper Abby Cannon. Ithaca responded with offensive pressure for the remainder of the half, but Kean goalkeeper Jenna Flemings made five of her 10 saves over the final nine minutes of the quarter.

Cannon finished her first collegiate game with seven saves.

Kean would tack on a goal in the third and fourth quarters, both from Jorja Hibschman, to pull away from Ithaca and move to 1-0 on the season.

Ithaca returns to action on September 3 for a 1 p.m. game at St. John Fisher.