GENEVA, N.Y. - In a rematch of last season's Liberty League championship, the Ithaca College women's soccer team fell 1–0 on the road to (RV) William Smith in another tightly contested defensive showdown.
 
The Bombers dropped to 3–4–2 on the season following the loss in Geneva. The Herons broke through in the 41st minute with their only shot of the first half, as midfielder Ruth Hotaling scored off a pass from Casey Holstein. Holstein found Hotaling open in front of the net, and she lofted a shot over Ithaca goalkeeper Katrina Varnum into the top corner.
 
Despite outshooting the Herons 12–1 in the first half, Ithaca couldn't find the back of the net. William Smith goalkeeper Antonia Goerke recorded eight saves and kept the Bombers off the scoreboard. No Ithaca player registered more than two shots.
 
The game's first shot came in the 8th minute when Ali Amari's attempt was stopped by Goerke. Less than a minute later, Kaelyn Fernandez tested the keeper again, but the Herons defense held strong.
 
William Smith struggled to generate offense early, going without a shot for the first 40 minutes. However, their lone first-half attempt proved decisive. After the goal, momentum shifted in favor of the Herons, who controlled possession and tempo throughout the second half.
 
William Smith outshot Ithaca 13–2 after halftime, including the first six attempts of the period. The Herons closed out the match and were able to hold off a late IC charge for an equalizer.
 
The Bombers will look to bounce back on Saturday when they travel to Saratoga Springs to face Skidmore at 3 p.m. A win would mark their first Liberty League victory of the season.