Despite blustery conditions and a slick field, the men’s soccer team defeated Elmira College 2–1 yesterday at Carp Wood Field in a match that Ithaca needed to win in order to keep its playoff hopes alive.

Elmira struck first in the 33rd minute off of a looping free kick that fell into the goal over the outstretched hands of sophomore goalkeeper Evan Kirshner. The wind played a major factor in the game as all three goals scored came from the team with a favorable wind at its back.  

“The wind is probably, for soccer games, the most disruptive thing,” Head Coach Andy Byrne said. “It changes how everybody plays.”

With their backs against the wall, the Bombers fought back in the second half tying the game in the 50th minute off a deflection from a corner kick by sophomore defender Matt Anthony. In the 70th minute, senior forward Gerard Lewis crossed the ball to freshman forward Dan Shirley who shot the ball into the back of the net, giving the Bombers the lead.

“The seniors really took charge today,” senior forward Gerard Lewis said. “It was probably the most intense I’ve seen us in a long time. If this is our last game, we definitely don’t want to go out with a loss.”

The Bombers entered their regular season finale with Elmira knowing they needed a win to have any chance at making the Empire 8 tournament. A loss would have guaranteed them a spot on the outside looking in.

The match was physical from start to finish. Pushing and yelling from both teams required the referees to break up multiple skirmishes.

“Everyone plays with a little fire in their eyes knowing that it could be your last game,” senior back Ata Movassaghi said. “You just see everyone put in that extra effort. I’ve known these guys for four years now. We’ve become the best of friends and I was just happy that everyone left it all out on the field today.”

The Bombers are not mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, however they need help. The Blue and Gold must await the result of the St. John Fisher College-Elmira match Tuesday to determine whether or not their 2009 campaign continues.

“Knowing that we still have a chance, our spirits are still up,” Movassaghi said. “We can kind of just hope that by early next week, we’re still alive and we can go from there. It’s definitely a good feeling to keep going.”