ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College men's soccer team battled back in a highly physical contest with The College of New Jersey, dueling to a 2-2 stalemate on Sunday evening under the lights of Butterfield Stadium.
IC recorded the first shot on goal as
Noah Partenza sent one on frame against TCNJ, then followed with another shot wide in the opening four minutes.
TCNJ took over offensively shortly after, scoring in the eighth minute off the foot of Aiden Ayer to put the Lions up 1-0 early.
The Bombers recorded two strong shots on goal, but it was the Lions who would score again, this time at 36:40 to take a 2-0 lead.
IC was finally able to put the pieces together in the 39th minute as Juan Gonzales-Mayoral found the back of the net to bring his squad within one, 2-1.
Keeper Brayden Milbrant was forced to make one more save before time ran out in the opening half, making the stop with just 30 seconds remaining on the clock.
The second half was especially chippy, with each squad earning two yellow cards by the 86th minute, when the Lions' Matt Maceri collected his second yellow of the contest, resulting in an automatic red card.
Two more yellow cards were handed out to the visitors in the 88th minute, one of which was issued to the TCNJ coach.
Ithaca took advantage of the mounting tension as rookie
Anthony Cocca collected his first collegiate goal from in front of a very crowded box to tie the game, 2-2, with 54 seconds remaining in the contest.
TCNJ refused to stay down, recording one final shot on goal with 10 seconds remaining on the clock.
Despite losing the time-of-possession battle, Ithaca recorded nine shots on goal compared to five by TCNJ. Milbrant finished the day with three saves.
The highly physical contest saw 26 fouls and 14 cards.
The Bombers will remain at home as they are set to host the Cougars of Misericordia University on Wednesday, September 9, for a 4 p.m. meeting.
