POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's soccer team remains undefeated on the year after battling to a 0-0 draw in its Liberty League opener at Vassar College on Saturday afternoon. The Bombers have two 0-0 draws on the year, the other coming against No. 11 SUNY Cortland on Wednesday.
A relatively quiet day for the Bomber offense, Ithaca recorded four shots on goal, with
Jack Carney,
Cameron Wooten,
Edin Estrada and
Colin Adams each recording one. The Bombers finished with 11 total shots, while Vassar registered 15.
Brayden Milbrandt was strong in net, making seven saves to secure his seventh shutout of the season. Milbrandt made five saves in the first half before adding two more after halftime.
Ithaca came out with an early opportunity, as Carney put a shot on frame in the fourth minute, but Vassar goalkeeper Jacob Raphan made the save. Adams followed with another shot on goal in the sixth minute, but Raphan again kept the Bombers off the board.
Vassar applied pressure throughout the opening half, earning six corner kicks and putting 10 shots toward the Ithaca goal. Milbrandt turned away five shots in the opening 45 minutes to keep the contest scoreless heading into halftime.
The Bombers continued to create opportunities in the second half, testing the Vassar defense. Neither team was able to find the breakthrough, however, as the match remained scoreless through the final whistle.
The defensive battle continued to the end, with both goalkeepers completing the full 90 minutes and recording clean sheets. Raphan made four saves for Vassar, while Milbrandt finished with seven.
Ithaca will return home on Tuesday as it plays host to non-conference competitor Hamilton College for a 4 p.m. meeting at Carp Wood Field.
