ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – The Ithaca College men's soccer team opened its 2024 season on Saturday afternoon with a road match against Eastern University, marking the program's first-ever meeting. The Eagles netted a first-half goal and added an insurance effort early in the second half. Despite Ithaca's relentless pressure and a penalty kick goal, they fell short, 2-1.

Eastern opened the scoring in the 5th minute after winning a 50/50 ball in the midfield off a Bombers goal kick. Building momentum inside the 18-yard box, Osmond Chan pounced on a ball that deflected off an IC defender and ripped his shot past the outstretched arms of Johannes Berghahn. The Bombers had their first chance to equalize when Connor Tierney forced a save from Ty Bleiler with a shot placed in the lower center of the goal frame.

Ithaca continued to build momentum, and off a free kick, Emmett Enriquez's shot attempt sailed high. In the 43rd minute, Landon Hellwig had a good look on goal from a corner kick, but his attempt was off target. Eastern carried a 1-0 lead into halftime, with each team managing six shots apiece.

Early in the second half, Zach Sievert sent a through ball on a free kick that Zach Chaplin finished at the 47:79 mark. Ithaca intensified their pressure and were rewarded when a foul was committed inside the box. Landon Hellwig stepped up and calmly converted the penalty kick.

With under three minutes left, Jack Carney had a great chance in front of the net, but his header just nicked off the top of the post. The Bombers continued to press and earned a corner kick with a minute remaining after the Eagles blocked a shot in front of goal. Off the corner, Ty Bleiler was forced into another save, and Eastern held on for the 2-1 win.

Ithaca returns to action on Monday with another road matchup, this time at Wilkes University, for a 2 p.m. start.