The Ithaca College men’s soccer team stumbled with back-to-back losses, but women’s soccer, field hockey, football, volleyball, cross-country and swimming and diving shined, delivering dominant performances and setting the tone for a successful fall break.
Men’s Soccer:
The men’s soccer team played two matches, facing the Union College Garnet Chargers and the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds. The Bombers were held scoreless in both games, losing 1-0 to the Garnet Chargers on Oct. 18 and 2-0 to the Thoroughbreds on Oct. 19.
Women’s Soccer:
The women’s soccer team entered the break ranked No. 9 in the country. After losing to Union 1-0 Oct. 18, the Bombers bounced back with a 2-1 victory against then-No. 18 ranked Skidmore on Oct. 19. Junior forward Ava Detorie and graduate student midfielder/forward Ally Stanton each scored against the Thoroughbreds. The Bombers ended the academic break ranked No. 8 in the country.
Field Hockey:
The No. 23 field hockey team secured two crucial Liberty League wins over the break. The Bombers edged Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2-1 in overtime Oct. 18, with senior striker Natalie Descalso assisting both goals — first to senior midfielder Catherine Papa, and then to senior midfielder Meara Bury for the game-winner. On Oct. 20, the Bombers dominated Vassar College, earning a 4-0 victory with goals from Descalso, Bury, senior defender Madeleine Goodman and sophomore midfielder Audrey McMahon.
Football:
The football team gained a victory over RPI Oct. 19, to improve its record to 3-3. It was a collaborative effort on both offense and defense for the Bombers, as they won 33-14. Sophomore quarterback Matthew Parker remained lights out, completing 19 passes on 24 attempts with 282 passing yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Sophomore wide receiver Nicholas Lang contributed 141 receiving yards, as well as two touchdowns. Senior running back Jalen Leonard-Osbourne had 75 rushing yards and a passing touchdown off a trick play. The Bombers started the season 1-3, but have won their past two matchups.
“Our offensive line is getting better, our receivers are getting better [and] our running backs are getting better,” head coach Michael Toerper said. “At quarterback, Matt [Parker] and Colin [Schumm] are both pushing each other every day in practice, and they’re both really improving. … Matt’s seeing the field really well and not putting us in bad situations, while also getting us out of those bad decisions. He’s taking care of the football, which is the most important part.”
Volleyball:
The volleyball team remained undefeated within the Liberty League with a 3-0 victory over the St. Lawrence University Saints Oct. 19. The Bombers are ranked No. 20 in the country, as well as No. 1 in the Liberty League. Sophomore outside hitter/right side Naomi Clauhs put up 12 kills and senior right side Faith Sabatier and sophomore outside hitter Gabriela Gonzalez-Abreu each had eight kills. Sophomore setter Wesley Slavin had 26 assists and graduate student defensive specialist/libero Julia Costa had 10 digs.
Women’s Cross-Country:
The women’s cross-country team placed fifth out of 29 teams with 228 points at the SUNY Geneseo Mike Woods Invitational Oct. 19. Junior Jessica Goode led the way for the Bombers coming in 23rd place with a time of 22:29.6 for the 6k event. During the race, three different runners set personal records: first-year student Hannah Pawlowski and juniors Logan Brasacchio and Kayleigh Milligan.
Men’s Cross-Country:
The men’s cross-country team came in 17th place out of 33 teams with 480 points at the SUNY Geneseo Mike Woods Invitational Oct. 19. Junior Ben Buffone was the fastest runner for the Bombers placing 63rd with a personal record time of 25:37.7 for the 8k event. Shortly behind him was senior Drew Taylor, who placed 78th with a time of 25:50.4. In addition to Buffone, three other Bombers set personal records: first-year student Colin Lesher, sophomore Elliott Painting and junior Aidan Loughlin.
Women’s Swimming and Diving:
It was a dominant opening match for the women’s swimming and diving team as it won 207-92 over the Scranton University Royals. The Bombers placed first in 13 of 16 events with strong performances from sophomores Samatha Bender and Kathleen Papiernik on the swimming side of the pool. Additionally, first-year student Sydney Koehler placed first in the 100-yard and the 200-yard breaststroke events. Senior Kailee Payne, last season’s national champion diver, remained unstoppable as she placed first in the 1-meter and the 3-meter diving events.
Men’s Swimming and Diving:
The men’s swimming and diving team won against the Royals 185-109 and placed first in 11 of 16 events. On the diving side of the pool, senior Ethan Godfrey placed first in the 1-meter and the 3-meter event. On the swimming side of the pool, sophomore Alec Kutsner was the Bombers’ strongest performer as he placed first in the 100-yard backstroke and the 100-yard freestyle. In addition, Kutsner was part of the 200-yard medley relay and the 400-yard freestyle relay, which both placed first.
Staff Writer Rory Mastine contributed reporting.
