The men’s lacrosse team has given Ithaca fans their fair share of close games this season. This afternoon was no different, as the Bombers lost a heartbreaker to Union College, 10–9 in overtime on Upper Terrace Field.

In their previous two overtime games, the Bombers were 1–1. But Ithaca couldn’t pick up the win against the non-conference Dutchmen.

The game was tight in the first half, with the Bombers leading 6–5 at halftime. As it has been for the majority of this season, the second half proved to be the difference for the Bombers.

“We didn’t come out of the gate ready to play,” junior long stick defensemen Neth Wiedemann said. “We were playing a lot of defense in that third quarter, and the game for that matter.”

Union held a slight edge in shots with 10 to Ithaca’s 8 during the third quarter, proving that Union did have control. One of the main problems for the Blue and Gold in the third quarter was an injury to one of Ithaca’s top performers.  

“[Senior] Logan Bobzien went down with an injury in the third quarter,” junior goalkeeper Ben Connery said. “It really affected our offense.”

Bobzien, who leads the team with 35 assists this year, is a catalyst that has anchored the Bombers’ offense this year. The loss of him at full strength paralyzed the offense, as they scored no goals in the third quarter.

Ithaca though, showed its usual fourth-quarter surge, scoring three goals to force the game into overtime. Sophomore Nic Heckman scored the game-tying goal with 1:11 left to play.

“We had the momentum going into overtime with that goal,” Wiedemann said.

The momentum was lost from the start though, as the Bombers lost the opening face off in the final period. Then the Bombers were hit with a penalty only one minute in. With the momentum shifting in Union’s favor and Ithaca down one man, the Bombers’ fate was sealed. Chris Collison finally scored the game-winning goal for Union 2:41 into the extra session.

The loss drops the Bombers to 10–2 overall on the season. The next game for the men’s lacrosse team will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday in Oneonta against Hartwick College.