GENEVA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's soccer team battled No. 12 Hobart College to a 1-1 draw Wednesday. The Bombers took a 1-0 lead in the second half before the Statesmen found the equalizer late in regulation.
Ithaca came out with strong pressure to open the contest, recording the first three shots of the afternoon. Cam Wooten and
Colin Adams both put attempts on target, but Hobart goalkeeper Jake Hanslow turned them away. Josh Bourdoulous added another opportunity shortly after, sending his attempt high as the Bombers continued to apply pressure in the attacking third.
Hobart eventually settled into the match and generated pressure of its own, with
Brayden Milbrandt making several key saves to keep the Statesmen off the scoreboard. The Bombers' defense continued to absorb the pressure and prevent Hobart from finding a breakthrough.
Neither team was able to score before halftime, sending the game into the break tied, 0-0.
Ithaca came out of halftime looking for an early breakthrough and earned a set-piece opportunity approximately 20 yards from goal.
Liam Breslin's shot was blocked by the Hobart wall, while Milbrandt continued to keep the Statesmen off the board with a crucial low save early in the half.
The Bombers continued to pressure the Hobart defense, with Wooten having a shot blocked before Ithaca earned a corner kick. Shortly after, Wooten sent a throw-in into the box, creating a dangerous sequence before the Statesmen eventually cleared the ball.
Hobart had an opportunity to take the lead with approximately 25 minutes remaining when it was awarded a penalty kick following an Ithaca yellow card. The attempt sailed wide of the net, keeping the game scoreless.
Ithaca capitalized shortly after.
Following a corner kick,
Edin Estrada found the back of the net to give the Bombers a 1-0 lead with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Milbrandt continued to protect the advantage, making two key saves in the final 15 minutes, including a stop on a one-on-one opportunity. Despite the goalkeeper's efforts, Hobart eventually found its equalizer with eight minutes remaining when a through ball split the Ithaca defense and found the back of the net.
Both teams battled through the final minutes in search of a game-winner. Hobart nearly took the lead late, but its final opportunity sailed wide as the two sides ultimately settled for a 1-1 draw.
The Bombers will return to action Saturday, Oct. 10, when they host RPI at 2 p.m. at Carp Wood Field for another Liberty League matchup
