ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's soccer team battled back to earn a 2-2 draw against No. 4 St. Lawrence University, scoring the equalizer with 1:30 remaining in regulation at Carp Wood Field.
The Saints struck just seconds into the contest to take an early 1-0 lead. Ithaca responded by pushing the ball up the field, with
Joshua Bourdoulous firing a shot from well outside the box that sailed just over the crossbar.
Brayden Milbrandt recorded his first save of the game as SLU continued to pressure the Bombers' defense.
Cameron Wooten delivered his trademark flip throw-in into the box, finding
Edin Estrada, who headed the ball past the goalkeeper to even the score. Ithaca continued to create opportunities off corner kicks and Wooten's throw-ins. Around the 30-minute mark, Estrada put another shot toward the lower-left post, but the Saints' goalkeeper made the save. Estrada later sent a free kick from just outside the box narrowly wide of the net.
Jack Carney nearly gave the Bombers the lead with a sliding attempt off a through ball from Bourdoulous, but the goalkeeper made the save. Ithaca held a 5-3 advantage in shots with 15 minutes remaining in the half. However, SLU regained the lead with five minutes remaining after capitalizing on a corner kick and a scramble in front of the net. The Saints carried a 2-1 lead into halftime.
Milbrandt opened the second half with a diving save before Estrada tested the SLU goalkeeper with a one-on-one opportunity. Ithaca continued to press for the equalizer, with
Liam Breslin nearly finding the net off a corner kick.
The Bombers continued to generate opportunities as the half progressed. Estrada sent a free kick from the right side of the box off the post, coming close to tying the game. Ithaca maintained the pressure through a series of set pieces, including two corner kicks and a throw-in from Wooten, but the Saints' defense held firm.
Carney nearly connected on a header that the SLU goalkeeper tipped away for another corner kick. The Bombers continued to threaten, earning additional corners and a free kick after a handball by an SLU defender. Breslin delivered the ball into the box, finding Carney, but the goalkeeper made the save.
With just 1:30 remaining in regulation,
Maddox Ward found the back of the net with a header over the SLU goalkeeper to even the score at 2-2. Ward's tally was assisted by
Declan Clark on a long ball. Ithaca continued to push forward in the closing seconds but could not find a go-ahead goal.
Ward led the offensive effort with a team-best three shots on goal. Estrada, Carney and Bourdoulous each added two shots on goal. In net, Milbrandt made two saves.
Ithaca outshot SLU 25-6, including an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Bombers also held a 16-2 advantage in corner kicks.
The Bombers will remain at home to host Union College for a 2 p.m. Senior Day contest on Saturday, October 17.
