After 90 minutes of constant action, the Ithaca College men’s soccer team recovered from a three-game scoring drought with a 2-0 win over the Clarkson University Golden Knights on Oct. 12. Consistent with most games this season, the Bombers clocked 22 shots, four more than the last game.

The Bombers dominated the first half, keeping possession largely in Clarkson territory with some key breakaways and targeted throw-ins. The Bombers were able to prevent the Golden Knights’ many advances from turning into scoring opportunities, often pushing the opposing team over the boundary line.

The Golden Knights’ frequent touches out of bounds combined with the Bombers’ unabated runs down-field proved to be lethal for Clarkson as a breakaway by first-year student midfield/forward Emmett Enriquez forced a deflection by Clarkson defenders, leading to a corner kick.

The kick, taken by junior midfielder Drew Warren, sailed cross-field, where sophomore forward Jack Carney was ready for the header into the middle of the goal. Despite saving three shots leading up to the attempt, Clarkson junior goalkeeper Carter Kladstrup could not keep Carney’s bullet out of the net. The Bombers took the lead with 26 minutes until halftime.

Although the rest of the half remained scoreless, there was plenty of action. The Bombers continued to fire away shots, totaling 11 — seven on goal — before the whistle sounded for the break.

The Bombers’ defense also held their own, turning back the Golden Knights’ attempts to even out the score. The Bombers’ back line pressured Clarkson’s attackers into stray passes, leading to easy clearances past the center line.

“We expect that out of [the defense], … the backbone of this team,” Carney said. “[Forwards] can’t do what we do without them holding down there, and so as long as they do their job, we’re gonna do ours.”

The second half started out similar to the first, but Clarkson gradually moved closer to the middle of the field, pushing fewer passes out of bounds. A shot by senior midfielder Connor Tierney just over a minute into the half looked like it had a decent chance, but it ended up as one of Kladstrup’s six saves in the second half.

Clarkson’s offense pushed deeper into the Bombers’ side of the pitch in the final 10 minutes, but the South Hill squad’s defense continued to shine as they repeatedly cleared the ball away from sophomore goalkeeper Brayden Milbrandt. 

Milbrandt’s first save since the 14-minute mark came in the last 10 minutes of the game, but the Bombers’ defense prevented the Golden Knights from getting open shots between the posts. Energy stayed high from both teams throughout the final minutes of the game. Ultimately, the Bombers outlasted their opponent and added a game-clinching goal in the 88th minute. 

Junior forward Andrew Kusek intercepted a goal kick and instantly shot from outside the box, forcing a practically superhuman dive from Kladstrup. Although that kept Kusek’s shot out of the net, the ball bounced out of the keeper’s hands directly toward junior forward Jared Krasnove’s boots. Krasnove was able to chip the ball gently into the goal for one of the final plays of the game

“Although it was a tap in, it meant a lot to me [after] not scoring in three games,” Krasnove said. “Our defense has been amazing these last couple games, and me and Carney knew that we had to give them something. They’ve been too good for us not to score some goals.”

The Bombers will play at home against Union College at 4 p.m. Oct. 18, on Carp Wood Field.

Head Sports Editor Flynn Hynes contributed reporting.