SCRANTON, Pa. – The nationally ranked No. 18 Ithaca College field hockey team was shutout for the first time this season as the Bombers fell to the University of Scranton, 1-0, in a non-conference midweek game. Ithaca is now 5-3 on the season, while Scranton improves to 8-1.

The first quarter was a battle for sustained possession as neither team took a shot over the opening 15 minutes of play. IC drew the only opportunity of the period with a penalty corner less than two minutes into the contest.

It was similar action in the second quarter as the game went into intermission with a scoreless tie. Scranton drew the first chance with a corner nearly five minutes in, but the ensuing shot was blocked. IC had a chance in the final two minutes, but the shot by Juliana Valli was blocked by the Royals' defense.

The Royals came out strong in the second half and took a 1-0 lead just 47 seconds into the third quarter. Scranton's initial shot was blocked, and Reagan Dolan immediately followed up to beat Maeve Clark. The Royals fired off another shot three minutes later, but Clark turned it away to keep the game at 1-0.

IC's lone shot of the period by Ainsley Grant was saved.

In the fourth quarter, Ithaca tallied three shots with the first attempt being saved off the stick of Natalie Descalso with just under three minutes to go in the contest. IC then turned up the pressure and earned two corners, with shots to follow, but Emma Garver's shot was blocked and Valli sent her attempt wide of target to end the game.

Clark made three saves in the loss as IC was outshot, 12-5. Scranton also led in corners, 6-4.

The Bombers will look to get back on track this Saturday, September 28 with their Liberty League opener against Union College at 1 p.m.