ITHACA, N.Y. — As the sun set over Butterfield Stadium on Wednesday, September 3, the Ithaca College men's soccer team continued its strong start to the 2025 season against the Elmira College Soaring Eagles. The Bombers exploded for three second half goals as they produced their second-straight shutout to improve to 2-0.
 
The Bombers came out strong with an aggressive attacking effort. Ikey Borden registered the first shot of the game following an impressive flip throw-in from Cameron Wooten. Though the shot narrowly missed the target, Ithaca's offense showed early promise.
 
Elmira maintained some possession early on, but the Bombers' back line—anchored by Borden, Drew Warren, Gustav Bauerle and Nick Dignazio, with Bryson Shaull providing additional support—held firm and kept the Soaring Eagles from threatening the goal.
 
Midway through the first half, Elmira strung together a few passing sequences that pushed them into Ithaca's defensive third. One notable play featured a long ball from Lucas Vallejos that was received 40 yards downfield by Lucas Cottrell inside the Bombers' box, but Ithaca's defense stood tall. With 12:25 remaining in the half, Elmira's Carter Jock attempted a 30-yard shot that sailed just over the crossbar.
 
Ithaca nearly broke through with eight minutes left in the half when Liam Breslin delivered a cross to Colin Adams, whose shot narrowly missed the frame. The first half concluded with the score still knotted at 0-0.
 
Just minutes into the second half, in the 49^th minute, Jack Carney opened his 2025 scoring account with a header into the back of the net off a precise acrobatic throw-in from Wooten, giving the Bombers a 1-0 lead.
 
At the 32:08 mark, Drew Warren fired a shot that ricocheted off the Elmira goalkeeper, leading to a second attempt off the rebound. Though neither found the net, the Bombers continued to apply pressure.
 
In the 65^th minute, Wooten was fouled inside the attacking box, earning Ithaca a penalty kick. Gustav Bauerle stepped up and calmly converted, netting his first goal of the season and extending the Bombers' lead to 2-0.
 
Later, a high kick from an Elmira player inside the box resulted in another penalty opportunity. Drew Warren took the kick and buried it, scoring his first goal of the season and fourth of his career giving Ithaca a commanding 3-0 lead with 16:20 left to play.
 
The Bombers closed out the match with a 3-0 victory. Bryson Shaull played all 90 minutes in goal and made a pair of saves to earn the shutout.
 
Next up, Ithaca returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 2 p.m. when the Bombers make their debut on Carp Wood Field.