The Ithaca College men’s lacrosse team fell to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 8–7 March 5, dropping its first game of the season to make its record 2–1 through the first three contests.
The Bombers began quick in the first quarter, with senior captain long stick midfielder Michael Walker scoring an unassisted goal. Sophomore midfielder Stephen Morrell added an extra goal off a sophomore attacker Jake Cotton pass.
Walker would tack on his second goal of the quarter thanks to an assist from sophomore midfielder David Drozjock, giving the Bombers a 3–1 advantage.
Cotton continued his strong performance in the second quarter, recording two more goals from passes from sophomore midfielders Greg Drillock and Drozjock. However, RPI’s offense came alive when the Engineers scored two goals in fewer than two minutes and then another goal with fewer than two minutes in the first half.
But the Blue and Gold kept their two-goal advantage after sophomore attacker Kaelan Fitzpatrick’s shot found the back of the net, making the game 6–4 Bombers at halftime.
RPI made its move in the third quarter, regaining the lead after three unanswered goals from junior attackers Matt Hall and Breanainn McNeally and freshman midfielder Lucas Bastarache. The Engineers’ defense was formidable, and held the South Hill squad scoreless until the decisive final quarter.
Trailing 7–6, the Bombers applied pressure early on and got the tying goal at the 11:33 mark after freshman midfielder Josh Della Puca found senior defenseman Eli Gobrecht for the Blue and Gold’s seventh goal.
However, RPI was not discouraged, and with a little over five minutes remaining, McNeally struck his second goal of the game and his sixth of the season to give the Engineers the lead that would eventually secure an 8–7 win for the Engineers.
The Bombers were held to just one goal in the second half off of eight shots. Senior goalkeeper Scott Sidnam racked up eight saves on the day after seeing 25 shots.
The Blue and Gold return to action at 4 p.m. March 9 when they host the SUNY Oswego Lakers at Higgins Stadium.
