ITHACA, N.Y. - The No. 21 Ithaca College Field Hockey team ran its winning streak to three on Saturday afternoon, besting SUNY New Paltz 1-0 at Higgins Stadium. The win improved the Bombers mark to 6-2 on the year and 4-1 on home turf this season.

In stark contrast to the Bombers 9-0 rout of SUNY Brockport during the mid-week, the IC attack faced more stern resistance from Brockport's SUNY sisters to the south. Ultimately, it was junior striker, Toni Ierardi, that delivered the goal that separated the sides on Saturday, using deft stick work to deflect home a shot from junior midfielder Brooke Snider just over a minute into the second quarter. Junior goalkeeper Maeve Clark and a stingy Bombers defensive back line made the narrow lead stand, Clark finishing with two saves to mark her fourth clean sheet of the season.

The Bombers held a significant territorial advantage throughout much of the contest, leading the Hawks 14-to-6 in shot attempts, 9-to-2 in shots on goal, and a healthy 8-to-3 advantage in penalty corner opportunities. New Paltz's first-year keeper, Grace Grant, did an admirable job in goal for the visitors to keep the Hawks in it, particularly during the first half. IC pelted the rookie keeper seven shots on target during the opening 30-minutes, with Grant turning in several dazzling saves to keep IC from pulling away.

Ithaca's first-half scoring strike was the result of a crisp penalty corner setup. Senior midfielder Brenna Schoenfeld inserted the ball to the top of the arc to junior Payton Yahner. The junior took a stick handle, before feeding Snider on the left wing. Snider launched a wicked wrist shot through traffic, ultimately finding the stick of Ierardi on the far right post for the deflection that found its way past Grant. The goal gave the Bombers a deserved lead, which they carried into the halftime break.

The Hawks grew into the game following the halftime intermission. Chasing an equalizing goal, New Paltz ramped up the offensive pressure during the final quarter, but the Bombers defensive backline held steady. Clark turned in both her saves during the final frame, which included a sprawling stop to deny New Paltz's Ashley McGough on the door step just three-minutes into the final period and another nice parry to deny New Paltz's Meghan Gunning with under two-minutes to play. 

The IC attack was able to see out a calm finish, holding the possession deep in the Hawks zone over the final 90-seconds.

No. 21 Ithaca returns to action on Tuesday, September 23, when it continues the non-league slate by welcome Scranton to Higgins Stadium for a 7:00 p.m. tilt under the lights.