CANTON, N.Y. – It was a typical, gritty Liberty League men's soccer match between the Ithaca College Bombers and the St. Lawrence Saints with the final score 0-0 on Saturday. Both teams will add a draw to their records as Ithaca moves to 5-4-1 and the Saints to 4-2-2.
 
As inferred from the final score, this matchup lacked goals but was loaded with intense defense. Both teams refused to give an inch and despite some flurries of chances, the defensive fronts stood strong to prevent any goals. The first offensive opportunity came off the foot of Ryan Campbell for St. Lawrence, who had a near miss over the top of the net just five minutes in. Just three minutes later, Jack Walker had a strike of his own that the Saints goalkeeper, George Charalambous, saved. What might've been Ithaca's best chance of the game occurred near the 20-minute mark when Drew Warren and Colin Adams both had shot attempts saved by the St. Lawrence keeper. Nicholas Petrone had a final look for the home team that was turned aside by Ithaca's Brayden Milbrandt. The first half came to an end with a good combination of physical defense and several offensive chances that neither team was able to capitalize on.
 
The second half was much of the same as the first. Both teams had their chances while the opposing defense proved to be all too stifling to break the ice. Joshua Bourdoulous had the first shot of the half that looked destined for the bottom right corner but was patted aside by Charalambous. Jack Carney had another opportunity just minutes later but couldn't find twine. The next shot on goal didn't occur until the 70th minute when Andrew Kusek for the Bombers put one on but was unsuccessful in giving Ithaca the lead.
 
The contest came to an end with a 0-0 score, but the stats don't lie; Ithaca played like the superior team. They outshot St. Lawrence 14-8 with nine going on goal compared to the Saints' three. They also were more aggressive on the attack but couldn't get one by Charalambous who had a stellar nine-save performance.
 
Ithaca returns to their home pitch at Carp Wood Field on Wednesday, October 9 to take on Misericordia at 4 p.m. in its final non-conference matchup of the season.