ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's lacrosse team took the short trip to Rochester, N.Y. and squared off against the Nazareth University Golden Flyers in a Wednesday afternoon non-conference matchup. In the 43^rd all-time meeting, it turned out to be a highly competitive affair that wasn't decided until the final minutes of the fourth quarter where Nazareth completed their comeback and won 9-8. The non-conference loss drops Ithaca to 2-2 overall, while the Golden Flyers improved to 2-2.
 
The Bombers scored on their first offensive possession and shot of the game when Ethan Adrid fed Tim Rogers in front of the net, who fired it past McClean Ralston. Andrew Minard and the IC defense started strong, making it difficult for the Golden Flyers to get good looks in front of the cage. Nazareth tied the game at 1-1 with 7:17 left in the quarter after Matthew Farrington scored an unassisted goal. Ralston made a crucial save for Nazareth during a man-up chance, and with 1:31 left, the Bombers did the same, keeping the score tied going into the second quarter.
 
Ithaca nearly killed off another man-up chance within the opening five minutes of the second quarter, but as the penalty was about to expire, Owen Riley scored for Nazareth, putting them up 2-1. On the ensuing possession, Ralston made back-to-back saves, denying both Sam Baker and Jack Pastore. Minard also made consecutive saves, but with 3:52 remaining before halftime, Farrington scored another unassisted goal. Nazareth extended their lead to 4-1 when Quinn McKercher scored his 11th goal of the season. Kyle Savery struck back with an unassisted effort for Ithaca, and with under a minute left, Cullen Adams fed Ethan Adrid in front of the net, making it 4-3.
 
The Bombers opened the second half with a man-up advantage. During that time, Kyle Proctor hit the post, and with 13:35 remaining, reigning Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week, Lucas Proctor, tied the game at 4-4. Ithaca's scoring run continued when Cullen Adams ripped a shot stick-side that found the net. The Golden Flyers tied it up at 5-5 halfway through the third quarter when McKercher scored. Tim Rogers fired a shot past Ralston to regain the lead for Ithaca, but William O'Neill quickly tied it again for Nazareth just 40 seconds later. Rogers earned a hat trick with 1:17 remaining in the third quarter, which saw the Bombers regain the lead at 7-6 as he was assisted by Jared Sedlock. Andrew Minard recorded his 12^th save of the game just before time expired in the quarter.
 
Nazareth earned the first offensive possession of the fourth quarter, and Minard made another crucial save. Following a successful IC clear, Graham Brady extended the Bombers' lead to 8-6 with his fourth goal of the year. With 7:58 remaining, William Meagher found the back of the net, making it a one-goal game again. Minard denied Meagher, but on a reset of the shot clock, Louis Cogliandro scored, tying it up at 8-8. Nazareth continued to seize momentum, and on a man-up opportunity, Owen Riley netted his second goal of the evening, putting them up 9-8. The Golden Flyers forced an IC turnover on a clear attempt with under a minute remaining, giving Ithaca one last chance with under 30 seconds left after a Jace Dockx forced turnover and ground ball. The Bombers couldn't get another clear look at the cage, and Nazareth prevailed, 9-8.
 
Dockx helped lead the defensive charge for the Bombers, while junior goalkeeper Andrew Minard made 17 saves. Next up, Ithaca will take on the University of Scranton on Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m.