SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - In its second Liberty League matchup of the 2023 season, the Ithaca College field hockey team bested the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds, 3–2, at Wagner Park in a 1-on-1 shootout decision Sept. 30.
 
The Bombers took control of the initial quarter, earning the first penalty corner of the competition just over a minute into play. Junior striker Emma Garver was the first to test Skidmore's junior goalkeeper Victoria Bodnar during the advantage play, ultimately coming out just wide of the cage.
 
The early opportunities fueled some momentum for the Bombers, allowing them to hold possession in Thoroughbred territory. Sophomore striker Brenna Schoenfeld tallied a shot on target at the 4:05 mark, but Bodnar denied the scoring attempt. The remainder of the first quarter was a battle in the midfield — Skidmore notched a shot on senior goalkeeper Alex Clough, but the frame closed out in a 0–0 tie. 
 
The Thoroughbreds entered the second quarter with more heated play, making their first shot attempt less than two minutes into the period. The threat warranted some aggression in the midfield, fostering offensive opportunities on both sides of the field. Each team earned a penalty corner apiece on the quarter, with Skidmore tallying five shots as opposed to the Bombers' two. Garver and senior striker Avery Moses contributed to the Bombers' statistic — however, the first half ended without score.
 
Following the intermission, the field saw high intensity play from both teams. Hungry to get on the board, it was Skidmore that tallied the first point of the match, finding the boards off a penalty corner just under two minutes into the quarter. 
 
Trailing by one, the Bombers regained control and put three consecutive shots on goal within a 45 second window. Bodnar, however, shut down each of the Bombers' opportunities. The remainder of the quarter was a back-and-forth showing until there was 18 seconds remaining on the clock. Ithaca answered back with a goal from junior midfielder Meara Bury. The point, assisted by junior defender Bella McCollister, closed out the quarter with a 1–1 tie on the board.
 
In similar fashion to the previous quarter, the fourth period saw dominant play on both sides on the field. The Bombers earned the first penalty corner of the frame and did not hesitate to capitalize on the opportunity. Junior midfielder Meara Bury slotted the ball past Bodnar to put the Bombers in the lead, 2–1, with 12 minutes remining in regulation. 
 
However, the Bombers were not out of the clear. Just 1:32 later, the Thoroughbreds executed on a penalty corner of their own to tie the score once again. The quarter saw two more shot attempts from the Bombers and one from the Thoroughbreds, but the regulation clock wound down to send the competition into overtime. 
 
After two fast-paced, 10-minute 7-on-7 overtime periods, the scoreboard still saw no change. In a best-of-five shootout decision, the Bombers proved their dominance with three clean goals by Schoenfeld, McMahon and Bury, respectively, to prevail, 3-1.
 
The 3–2 victory solidified the Bombers' second overtime decision in a row and improved their overall record to 7–3. The Bombers will bring their talents home when they take on the SUNY Geneseo Knights at 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at Higgins Stadium.