The Ithaca College field hockey team earned a thrilling overtime win Oct. 10 over SUNY New Paltz.
The game was a very competitive one to see. Both teams came ready with high energy, wanting to take home the win. The first half of the game was filled with back-and-forth play. Both teams remained in contention and neither team put one into the goal until the second quarter.
Junior striker Natalie Descalso and junior midfielder Meara Bury had quick passes between each other that allowed the Bombers to rapidly move the ball up the field with shots on goal.
Both Descalso and Bury made several shots on goal, missing by a smidge each time.
Junior forward Juliana Valli scored the first goal for the Bombers, allowing them to lead the first half by a score of 1–0, until the Hawks scored within the last few minutes of the half. The Bombers went into halftime knotted at a score of 1–1.
The second half was very similar to the first. Both teams came out of halftime wanting to score, but the Hawks made several grab-and-go passes, while also cutting off the Bombers’ passing, advancing them to take a total of five shots on goal in the half.
Sophomore midfielder Eliza Ballaro played a huge role in stopping the Hawks from getting to the Bombers’ goal. Ballaro, who usually plays left, said the shift in position did not stop her.
“I would say that overall this was a great competition, the other team really made us work,” Ballaro said. “When it comes down to it you just need to give it your all and work as a team to get it done. We played smart, made adjustments, and did the best we could tonight.”
That was until the time ran out and the matchup went into overtime. The score was 1–1.
Luckily for the Bombers, during a corner play, Bury sent the pass to Descalso, who successfully took the shot and it went straight into the net. The Bombers celebrated with excitement and so did their fans. They took home the win 2–1.
Sophomore striker Brenna Schoenfeld said that the Bombers have been built for games like this and that the team’s chemistry is what got them the win.
“We’ve found ourselves in an overtime situation a couple of times this season already, so at the end of regulation we were feeling ready to go,” Schoenfeld said. “It always feels great to come out on top and as always a team win.”
The Bombers will next play in a Liberty League matchup against William Smith College Oct. 13 at 4 p.m. in Geneva, NY.
