The Ithaca College women’s soccer team dominated from the very first touch at their game Aug. 30 under the lights at Butterfield Stadium. Junior midfielder Kaelyn Fernandez led the way with two of the Bombers’ six first half goals in their commanding 6-0 victory against the Elmira College.
Fernandez was all over the field in the first half and was seemingly involved in every play. On top of the two goals, she had eight total shot attempts including five on target and helped to start multiple fast breaks. Fernandez said she wants to put in the extra effort to make these hustle plays so she can give her teammates better opportunities, demonstrating selflessness from the Bombers’ superstar.
“I just want to always be in a position where I can support my teammates,” Fernandez said. “I know they do the same for me and I think when we work together … we have really good success.”
Fernandez and the Bombers took control of the game from the first minute of action, pushing the ball down the field and moving through Elmira’s zone the entire first half. Just 32 seconds into action, sophomore forward Ella Shorkey scored off an assist from junior defender Ali Amari. Amari delivered a beautiful cross from the left side, which Shorkey capitalized on to score a goal.
While the action was limited over the next 15 minutes, the Bombers dominated time of possession, and it seemed like the ball never crossed over the midfield line. Fernandez said the team emphasized controlling the ball and it was evident tonight, as they outshot Elmira 42-1.
“I think when we just get control of the ball we play simple,” Fernandez said. “We find each other’s feet and I think it really helps us control the game.”
This domination of possession eventually led to a breakthrough and the onslaught began. Junior forward Ava Detorie placed one in the box from the left side that found Fernandez who put it in the ball in the back of the net for her first goal of the evening. She would score her second one just five and a half minutes later, this time unassisted.
The following goal displayed more tremendous ball movement from the Bombers. Fernandez sprinted down the right side on the break and found Amari on the left, who sent a perfectly placed cross to graduate student midfielder Sarah Sinnott. Sinnott scored the Bombers’ fourth goal of the half off the cross.
The following goal came at the 30 and a half minute mark. Graduate student Ally Stanton put a ball on net and was deflected by Elmira’s senior goalkeeper Nevaeh Winston. However, the Bombers did not give up on the play and sophomore forward Jayne Bogle was there to clean up the mess and score off the deflection.
With about 40 minutes left, the Bombers would score their penultimate goal off another deflection, this time it was junior defender Allie McCabe to put it in the back of the net to give the Bombers the 6-0 advantage heading into the second half.
Although the Bombers had 15 more shots in the second half, they were unable to capitalize on the opportunities, maintaining their score from the first half.
The Bombers had their second game Sept. 1 in which they tied the York College of Pennsylvania Spartans 0–0. The team will travel for their next game against the Mount Saint Mary College Knights at 2 p.m. Sept. 7 in Newburgh, New York.
