ITHACA, N.Y. - On a rainy and dreary Sunday afternoon the Ithaca College women's soccer team hosted and eventually defeated the nationally ranked No. 11 William Smith Herons 3-2 in penalty kicks after a scoreless tie through regulation and overtime to capture the 2024 Liberty League Championship. With the win, the Bombers earned the Liberty League's automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship tournament, while winning their second Liberty League conference tournament in three years.
The Herons controlled the early portion of the game as the Herons forced
Grace Hickey to make a diving save just three minutes into the matchup, followed up by two shots that got blocked by the defensive backline, and another shot wide.
After the strong start from William Smith, neither team generated a good scoring chance. Then in the 26th minute from 35-yards out Ireland Krawczyk got the ball to Ava Ruppersberger who collected it at the top of the box and got a point blank shot off that was corralled by Hickey from her knees.
The Bombers got their first dangerous opportunity when
Rosie Bostian crossed a pass, but no one could get onto the ball before the Herons were able to clear the ball away. Shortly after, Ruth Hotaling of the Herons snuck a shot through traffic in front that forced Hickey to make another great save at the 41:24 mark of the first half.
The Bombers opened the second half with the rain picking up and saw another cross from
Ally Stanton that nobody could get to again with a wide-open goal after Kirsten Nelson was caught too far off her line trying to grab the cross. Hickey made another outstanding save a little over 10 minutes into the second half. Right after that
Kaelyn Fernandez got a fast break going on the counter attack and sent a shot just inches above the crossbar.
Ava Detorie whipped in another glorious opportunity in the 67th minute of the second half, and Stanton sent the shot high from just a couple yards out.
Sarah Sinnott had another great chance that was denied as she could not get generate power on the shot with 11 minutes remaining. Hickey came up huge again as she came out of her net to make another diving stop in the 88th minute of play denying a Kaleigh Darby effort.
William Smith controlled possession through the first overtime period, with neither team getting a dangerous chance. In the second overtime
Mia Medearis set up
Margo Kasenchar on a corner kick, and Kasenchar sent the shot attempt high. Late in the second overtime
Allison Heft sent a free kick near the goal, that nobody could get a good chance on net from.
The Bombers won the coin toss, and the Herons stepped up to the penalty spot to begin penalty kicks, with the winner walking away Liberty League champions. William Smith scored on its first attempt with
Rosie Bostian then matching her, scoring on Ithaca's first attempt.
Lily Fusco gave the Bombers the advantage on penalty kicks, scoring after the Herons sent one wide. William Smith's third attempt forced Hickey to make a diving save to keep the Bombers ahead pawing the ball and keeping it off her line.
Allison Heft gave the Bombers a 3-1 lead, scoring on their third attempt. The Herons kept it close, getting one past Hickey on their fourth attempt. The Bombers rang their fourth attempt off the crossbar.
Grace Hickey then put the match on ice by deflecting the fifth shot from the Herons wide to win the penalty kick battle, 3-2.
(RV) Ithaca College punched their ticket into the NCAA Championship and will find out who they play next, tomorrow at 2 p.m. in the selection that will be available on
NCAA.com.
