ITHACA, N.Y. — The Ithaca College women's soccer team went toe-to-toe with a nationally ranked opponent on Saturday, battling No. 10 Vassar College to a 0-0 draw at Carp Wood Field in the Bombers' Liberty League opener. The result moves Ithaca to 4-1-3 on the season and 0-0-1 in conference play, while Vassar remains unbeaten at 4-0-3 overall and 1-0-1 in the league.
Vassar carried much of the attacking play in the first half, but Ithaca goalkeeper
Katrina Varnum was ready when called upon. She made her first save in the 11th minute, stopping a low shot from Elena Valle, and turned away Alice Crowley's attempt at the bottom corner in the 32nd minute. The Brewers pushed hardest late in the half, as Ava Holman fired two shots between the 42nd and 44th minutes and Vassar earned a pair of corner kicks, but the Bombers' back line held firm to send the game to halftime scoreless.
The pressure continued after the break, with Vassar earning three corners between the 49th and 53rd minutes and chances from Gianna Panarelli and Sonya Franklin going wide.
Ithaca produced its best opportunity in the 65th minute, when forward
Lilyana Baldi put a shot on frame toward the top of the net, only for Vassar keeper Laura Shea to make the save. Vassar's final look came in the 84th minute, when Claire Vrahoretis sent a shot over the bar, and neither side could find a breakthrough over the full 90 minutes.
Statistically, Vassar held the advantage, outshooting Ithaca 10-1 for the match and holding a 2-1 edge in shots on goal. Sonya Franklin led all players with three shots, while Valle and Holman added two apiece for the Brewers. Baldi accounted for Ithaca's lone shot of the afternoon.
In net, Varnum played all 90 minutes for the Bombers, stopping both shots she faced to earn the clean sheet. On the other end, Shea also went the distance for Vassar, making one save to keep Ithaca off the board.
Vassar held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks, but the Brewers were whistled for the more physical afternoon, committing 10 fouls compared to Ithaca's five. Vassar was also flagged offside twice to Ithaca's once.
The Bombers look to pick up their first conference win Wednesday against William Smith College at 4 p.m. at Carp Wood Field.
