ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College women's soccer team opened their 2024 season with a dominant 6-0 victory over Elmira College on Friday evening. The Bombers came out firing on all cylinders, moving the ball well and were rewarded just 32 seconds into the match.
Ali Amari made a nice run up the left side of the field and sent a pass across the box that was finished off by
Ella Shorkey.
The offensive attack continued to click, and just over 18 minutes later,
Kaelyn Fernandez netted the first of her two-straight goals. Her first was assisted by
Ava Detorie after a good one-two move, and the second was an outstanding turn and shot that was slotted into the bottom right corner past the outstretched arms of the Soaring Eagles goalkeeper.
Up 3-0, arguably the best goal of the game was netted off the right foot of graduate student
Sarah Sinnott. Great build-up play and a one-touch pass from
Ali Amari left Sinnott one-on-one in front of the goal, and she rocketed a shot into the upper left corner, leaving Elmira goalkeeper Navaeh Winston no chance at a save. The goal scoring continued in the 31st minute with
Jayne Bogle finding the back of the net as she pounced on a ball that was initially saved by Winston, making it 5-0 in favor of the Bombers.
Allie McCabe slotted home her first goal of the season and third of her career when she outdueled her defender in the 18-yard box off a corner kick chance and was in perfect position to collect a ball that ricocheted off a Soaring Eagle and it was finished off at the 39:55 mark by McCabe.
The Bombers outshot Elmira 27-0 in the first half, where Navaeh Winston had to make 10 saves. IC ended up outshooting the visitors 42-1 with the majority of the possession in the attacking third. Both
Kaelyn Fernandez and
Sarah Sinnott each placed five shots on target. The defensive backline and
Grace Hickey preserved the shutout, her 13th of her collegiate career.
Ithaca will remain at home to host York College (Pa.) on Carp Wood Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. for a non-conference match.
