ITHACA, N.Y. - The Ithaca College men's soccer team hosted nationally ranked No. 12 Vassar College on Carp Wood Field on Saturday afternoon in a intense Liberty League matchup. Dispite Vassar being nationally ranked, the Bombers handed the Brewers their first loss in Liberty League play putting the Bombers at a record of 7-6-2 overall and 3-3-1 while the Brewers fell to 9-3-2 and 4-1-2 in conference play. The Ithaca men's soccer program also celebrated the careers of its four seniors Landon Hellwig, Jack Longo, Jake Trinchetto and Connor Tierney prior to the start of the match.

The Bombers led the Brewers in shots in the first half 7- 6, and controlled the offense in set pieces which directly led to two goals. Vassar started the half with multiple break away opportunities giving them their first goal of the game a little over seven minutes into the match when Duncan Keker beat Bryson Schaull. He controlled the ball at the top of the box giving himself a one on one matchup with Shaull where then Keker sent the ball into the bottom right corner of the back of the net.

Minutes later Jared Krasnove received an assist from Ikey Borden and found the back of the net. It was the first goal for the Bombers in two weeks, the last goal was scored by the Bombers in a match against Clarkson as they were held goalless last weekend.

With 27 minutes to go in the first half, Connor Tierney scored giving the Bombers their first lead against the Brewers, he was assisted by Ikey Borden on a corner to give him his second assist of the match. He set him up right at the top of the box giving Tierney a set up to strike the ball into the back of the net.
In the 36th minute the Brewers countered and tied up the score with a goal from Arden Tobolski off a pass from Mauricio Mejia to tie up the game right before the closing whistle of the half.

Four minutes into the second half Landon Hellwig received a pass from Jared Krasnove and struck it into the back of the net giving the Bombers a 3-2 lead early to start the half. It turned out to be the game-winning effort for the Bombers.

Nearly 2 minutes later, the Bombers had a break away down the left sideline where Ikey Borden received a pass from Andrew Kusek in the box to give Borden a 1 on 1 opportunity with keeper Jacob Raphan where he was able to put the ball in the back of the net. The goal was scored at the 50:44 mark and was Borden's third of the season and fourth point of the match.

A foul on the left sideline in the Bombers territory led to a Vassar free kick but Ithaca's Bryson Shaull dove across the box to make a punching save to take away an opportunity for the Brewers. With 22 minutes to go in the second half Jack Carney was hit to the ground by the Brewers inside the 18-yard box leading to a penalty kick opportunity where Drew Warren missed the kick off the left post.

In the final three minutes of the game, Bryson Shaull made a crucial save off of a throw in from Vassar to help seal the victory for the Bombers. Ithaca's defense stayed strong throughout the entirety of the second half allowing Vassar few goal scoring chances.

It's been a battle of a season for the Ithaca Men's Soccer team, and late in the season they see their highest of triumphs. Victories over nationally ranked opponents only come so often, and Ithaca made the most of it.

Here's my conversation with Coach Eldridge after the game. pic.twitter.com/PwxeZZhRhk

— Devon Jarvis (@DevonJarvis_) October 26, 2024

The Bombers had an incredible match and have one last home game on Carp Wood Field Wednesday, October 30 against RIT at 3 p.m. They now sit in sixth place within the Liberty League tied with RIT with 10 points and will close out the season with a road match at RPI on November 2.