DALLAS, Pa. – The Ithaca College women's soccer team fell 3-1 on Sunday afternoon in its second round matchup of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament at Mangelsdorf Field to No. 6 Misericordia University. The teams went into the halftime break tied at 1-1 but the Cougars found the back of the net twice after IC was forced to play with 10 after a second half red card.
 
Misericordia was nearly through on goal on a breakaway effort in the seventh minute, but an offside flag thwarted the fast break chance. The Bombers would record the first shot attempt just over a minute later from a corner kick, Rosie Bostian got on the end of the Ava Detorie cross, but her header sailed over the crossbar. Emma Sweitzer guided a shot on frame at the 8:47 mark, but Grace Hickey was there to make the save.
 
The Cougars continued to press and would see the ball find the back of the net in the 12^th minute. Ithaca attempted to clear the ball following a Misericordia corner kick, but from outside the 18-yard box Samantha Bardonner gathered and sent a dipping shot that found the bottom right corner past the outstretched arms of Hickey.
 
Rosie Bostian attempted to equalize in the 19^th minute, but her attempt was wide left and a follow up effort off the boot of Sarah Sinnott was saved by Lauren Mondor. Kaelyn Fernandez ripped a great chance on goal off her right boot as it fooled the keeper and ricochetted off the crossbar at the 24:02 mark. The Bombers were able to deny Misericordia of an insurance effort with the defensive backline blocking an Olivia Maniskas shot.
 
Misericordia had another glorious chance to double up its lead but once again Grace Hickey was there to deny the goal scoring chance saving the shot attempt from Emma Sweitzer at the 36:19 mark. The save turned out to be huge as just moments later, Julia Cascone was fouled inside the opposing 18-yard box. Rosie Bostian stepped up to the penalty spot and converted for IC in the 38^th minute tying the score at 1-1.
 
It was an even first half with both teams managing nine shots apiece. Ithaca generated a shot from distance with Lily Fusco unleashing a shot that dipped and forced Lauren Mondor into the first save of the second half. The Cougars responded with a good scoring chance of their own when Julia Beck saw her free kick skim across the crossbar.
 
In the 57^th minute, Misericordia again would earn a free kick chance outside of the 18-yard box after a foul on a Bomber defender. Julia Beck bent a shot from 25-yards out that would once again hit off the crossbar. Grace Hickey again would stand tall making back-to-back saves denying both Emma Sweitzer and Olivia Maniskas. Shortly after, Allison Heft was shown her second yellow card that resulted in a red and the Cougars again had a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box. Grace Hickey would make her seventh save of the day stopping Julia Beck's free kick.
 
The Bombers looked to go up and generated back-to-back shots from both Julia Cascone who saw her shot blocked and then the follow-up effort from Rosie Bostian was sent just wide of the frame. Alyssa Steenback had a point-blank effort that was saved by Grace Hickey in the 80^th minute keeping the score deadlocked at 1-1.
 
With under 10 minutes remaining, Misericordia's Madison Bradaric crossed it from right to left and the ball fell to an unmarked Samantha Bardonner who found the back of the net at 81:28 giving the Cougars the 2-1 lead. In the 89^th minute Emma Sweitzer added another insurance effort for Misericordia sending her shot into the left corner past Hickey.
 
Ithaca concludes its season with a 14-3-4 overall record, while Misericordia advances to the Round of 16 of the NCAA Division III Championship tournament.