The Ithaca College women’s soccer team had to settle for a 0-0 tie in a scrappy affair against the York College of Pennsylvania Spartans, led by senior goalkeeper Grace Hickey, who blocked every shot on net.
Throughout the game, the Spartans had multiple long stretches where they dominated possession on the Bombers’ side of the field. Hickey did an excellent job during these stretches, and while she was only credited with three saves in the box score, she had multiple key clears and was successful in backing her defense.
Hickey gave all the credit to her defenders for her shutout, saying that it is a lot easier to remain composed in net knowing she has an elite defense in front of her.
“I trust [the defenders] completely,” Hickey said. We have great team chemistry in the back. I have full faith in them on their decisions that they’re making and what they’re doing with the ball … it’s easy to be composed having them in front of me.”
The defense was sharp for the South Hill squad from the start. In the first five minutes of action, the Spartans were able to earn two corner kicks, but came up empty on both attempts.
Juniors Ali Amari and Allie McCabe, anchored the Bombers’ defense, both playing all 90 minutes without showing signs of slowing down.
Amari gave the Bombers an opportunity to score at the 26:23 minute mark when she was able to gain possession and move the ball upfield to graduate student midfielder Sarah Sinnott, who found graduate student midfielder/forward Ally Stanton on the left side. Stanton’s shot was then deflected left of the net, leading to a Bombers corner kick. The Spartans’ defense demonstrated that they are also dangerous, as they were able to stop the scoring threat and eventually regain possession.
Possession continued to bounce back and forth in the remainder of the first half. After a couple of nice plays from Hickey, the score was tied up 0-0 heading into the half.
The Bombers came out firing to start the second half, as once again Amari was able to lead the way for her teammates. At the 49:32 mark, Amari dribbled down the left side of the Spartans’ half of the field and gave a beautiful cross to sophomore forward Lilyana Baldi, who was able to head the ball, but just missed the net and the ball sailed out of bounds left of the goal.
The Spartans controlled possession for the next few minutes and Hickey made a great save at the 59:41 mark. After a Spartans throw-in, junior forward Julianna Schilling had a breakaway towards the goal. Hickey stepped up and at the perfect time, jumped toward Schilling to make a great save, deflecting the ball and sending it out of bounds.
After the corner kick, junior midfielder Kaelyn Fernandez would clear the ball out of the zone and the Bombers survived the threat from the Spartans.
The game was a tough battle the rest of the way with both squads picking up six fouls — five of the Spartans’ six fouls coming in the second half.
The Bombers had a few more chances throughout the second half and received contributions from the reserves. Sophomore forward Jayne Bogle, junior midfielder Devin Sylvia, senior midfielder/forward Julia Cascone and Baldi all put up shot attempts off the bench in the second half, but it was ultimately not enough, as the Spartans’ defense stood tall everytime.
Hickey said a tie is better than a loss, but there is nothing for her squad to be happy about, as the goal is always to win. She gave the Spartans credit for playing a great game and said she thinks the squad can build off this early season matchup.
“We feel as though we didn’t play our best,” Hickey said. “We don’t like to tie, tying feels like losing. I think they definitely played the better game and I think we realized that and we want to come out with a better attitude and a better game the next time we play.”
The Bombers have this week to rest and train while they look to get back into the win column at 2 p.m. Sept. 7 as they head to Mount Saint Mary College for its first road game of the season.
