ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's soccer team hosted the No. 11 SUNY Cortland Red Dragons on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The Bombers experienced a little déjà vu from last season, playing to another 0-0 draw against the Red Dragons.
The rivalry on the soccer pitch opened up with a defensive battle, leading to a very physical game. Both teams combined for 29 fouls and multiple yellow cards throughout the contest.
Early in the first half, a Cortland throw-in led to the Red Dragons' first opportunity. Striker Aiden Miller broke through Ithaca's defense and sent a shot just high, barely missing the crossbar from 20 yards out.
There was no love lost between the Bombers and Red Dragons, with fouls committed by both sides in the 30th minute. The Bombers defended a Cortland corner, but the Red Dragons continued to press. Diego Rivera took the ball from the near side but was met by two Bombers, resulting in a mini skirmish that ended with Rivera on the ground.
The Bombers finished the half with two chances in the final minute. IC took multiple throw-in opportunities before an eventual corner gave
Gabriel Robinson a scoring chance.
Robinson fired a shot from just outside the box toward the far-side post, but Cortland goalkeeper Jordan Ott came off his line to grab the ball and prevent another opportunity for the Bombers.
The second half opened up with even more physicality. Red Dragons' Jack Pachla picked up a yellow card in the 54th minute. A little later, Ithaca's
Edin Estrada also received a yellow card. The cards continued to come, with three more handed out between the two schools.
Bombers' goalkeeper
Brayden Milbrandt made five saves in the game, with one of his biggest stops coming in the 74th minute when Ithaca's net was under siege. Milbrandt was up to the task, robbing Sam LaMendola of a potential goal.
IC grabbed its best opportunity of the game when
Cameron Wooten launched a shot from 10 yards out that glanced off the crossbar.
The Bombers and Red Dragons exchanged opportunities in the dying seconds but couldn't capitalize, leaving the game tied at 0-0.
IC travels to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Saturday, Sept. 26, to play its first Liberty League match up of the season against Vassar College.
