NEW PALTZ, N.Y. – The No. 23 nationally ranked Ithaca College field hockey team dropped its second game of the year to the New Paltz Hawks 2-1. Pushing the Bombers to a 5-2 record in the early season just a week away from starting conference play.
The first quarter was deadlocked between the 25's. Creating a very physical first frame with both teams combining for 19 fouls.
But New Paltz started creeping ahead in the ladder half of the quarter. With Hawks defender Caydence Parker gaining two valuable scoring opportunities. The Liberty Leagues defensive player of the week: Goalkeeper
Maeve Clark stood tall. Lunging out to deflect not one but two New Paltz shots aside to keep the game at zero for the Bombers.
The second quarter started on a very different note with Ithaca putting New Paltz on its heels. But the Hawks would defend these chances then capitalize on its transition game. Forcing The Bombers to commit a costly foul. This would result in Ashley McGough getting a rare penalty stroke for the Hawks. She would score, beating Clark on the far side, pulling New Paltz ahead by one in the 24th minute.
That wouldn't be the last goal scored in the quarter. Another Bombers' foul would result in another New Paltz corner, and Ashley McGough would capitalize in the circle yet again. Deflecting Sophie Bronzi's shot up and in for the second New Paltz goal of the first half.
The Bombers defense would struggle in its own zone through the first 10 minutes of play in the third quarter. But the Bombers would respond with a long stretch pass that would kick start its offense.
Giving Ithaca a corner then, on the same play, New Paltz would commit a foul in its circle and give
Audrey McMahon a penalty stroke goal. To bring the Bombers within one heading into the fourth.
IC would continue applying pressure to New Paltz, forcing the Hawks to surrender three straight corners. But the Bombers couldn't capitalize to tie the game.
Ithaca College would get one more chance just a minute left in the game with McMahon having a shot right on the line of the cage but couldn't corral another goal.
The Bombers will host the Susquehanna University River Hawks tomorrow Sep. 20, at Higgins Stadium.
