The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
32° Ithaca, NY
The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan

Sports Features

Senior goalkeeper Bryson Shaull has been pivotal for the Bombers' score sheet, conceding only one goal in the first seven games of the 2025 season.

Defensive dominance ushers in new era for men’s soccer

By Graham Goodman, Staff Writer • October 1, 2025
The Ithaca College men’s soccer team is in the midst of a program revamp under new head coach Gabe Kuhn, who has brought success the team has not achieved in years. The key to the Bombers’ winning ways this season has been their defense. Led by senior goalkeeper Bryson Shaull, the Bombers’ back line conceded only one goal in their first seven games, collecting six clean sheets.
From left, head coach Ryan Ciotoli '02 and assistant coaches Kate Zavuholnik and Joel Ferrara will lead the women's wrestling team in its inaugural season when the team takes to the mat this winter.

Women’s wrestling gears up for inaugural season

By Lyla Doran, Contributing Writer • September 25, 2025
Last July, Ithaca College expanded its athletics program by introducing an NCAA varsity women’s wrestling team. With the 2025-26 inaugural season approaching, the team’s preparations are in full swing, including the hiring of head coach Ryan Ciotoli ’02 and the recruitment of the eight athletes.
Junior Lola Gitlin transferred from Division l Long Island University in Spring 2025 with the intention of playing soccer. Gitlin switched to cross-country in Fall 2025.

Junior transfer trades cleats for running shoes

By Morgan Spriggs, Contributing Writer • September 24, 2025
Before the Fall 2025 semester, junior Lola Gitlin had never competed in a cross-country race. 
From left, junior goalkeeper Jameson Wong and first-year midfielder Jack Murphy represented Team China and Team Ireland in the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship in Seogwipo, South Korea.

IC lacrosse players take talents to international level

By Isabella McSweeney, Sports Editor • September 11, 2025
After falling short of the postseason, two members of the Ithaca College men’s lacrosse team decided to take their talents across the world to Seogwipo, South Korea to celebrate their heritage and compete in the 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championship.
The 2024-25 Ithaca College golf team led the country in NCAA Division III golf academics, with an average GPA of 3.917.

Golf team takes national stage for D-III athletics

By Isabella McSweeney, Sports Editor • August 28, 2025

Long after finals and the rush of students moving off-campus for the summer died down, members of the Ithaca College golf team opened their Instagrams to a surprise. The Women’s Golf Coaches Association...

Photography by Marissa Moschella. Illustration by Raessler Guthrie.

Field hockey prepares for sprint toward success

By Isabella McSweeney, Sports Editor • August 27, 2025

After 2024’s historic performance, the Ithaca College field hockey team is unfazed by expectations and ready to put in the effort to return to the NCAA Division III Championships. The Bombers ended...

After Susan Bassett ’79 announced her plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic school year, the college prompted a search committee to find the best possible candidate. The committee includes current athletes, coaches and faculty members.

IC strives to cover all bases in search for its next director of athletics

By David Schurter, Co-Sports Editor • April 30, 2025
The changing of the guard is an important step in determining the future of a program. For a department with a rich history such as the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Ithaca College, the search for the next athletic director is underway with a deadline of July 1, according to the athletics department. 
Junior pole vaulter Robert George made his long awaited return to the runway April 4 at the Cortland Red Dragon Open with a winning jump of 4.00 meters. George suffered a herniated disc in his back as a first-year and has struggled to get back to full health.

Pole vaulter gets closure after over a year on the sidelines

By Khari Bolden • April 30, 2025
Junior pole vaulter Robert George set the bar high for himself as a first-year athlete before a career altering back injury kept him off the runway for nearly 1 1/2 years. His unlikely return to competition this spring was met with immediate placements at the top of the podium and, as his athletic career potentially winds down, a chance at the closure he was very nearly robbed of.
The spring sports season has provided strong performances by many first-year student athletes across Ithaca College athletics. Ivan Kisic of the men's tennis team has stepped up for the program thus far.

First-year student-athletes headline strong spring sports season

By Khari Bolden • April 16, 2025
As the 2024-25 academic year comes to a close, the student-athletes of Ithaca College find themselves amid another season of spring sports. For several Bombers teams, they have looked toward first-year players for immediate contributions and their faith in recent recruits has been rewarded. 
The Ithaca College baseball team boasts four catchers on its roster. Senior Tyler Pugliese throws the ball back to the pitcher in a game against the St. Lawrence University Saints on March 22.

Baseball uses catcher carousel to bolster roster

By Billy Wood, Assistant Sports Editor • April 16, 2025
From 2020-23 the backstop at Freeman Field was primarily protected by the prowess of catcher Gil Merod ’23. Now, the Bombers have leveraged a four catcher rotation to try and replace Merod, creating a competitive bond that has pushed the team throughout the season.
Women's swiming and diving senior diver Kailee Payne clinched her third and fourth individual national championships in 2025. Payne reflects on her career as well as her struggles with mental health on her way to becoming a national champion.

National champion diver reflects on her career and mental health

By David Schurter, Co-Sports Editor • April 10, 2025
The sport of diving is characterized by living life on the edge. Making the right decisions in the right moment can make or break a routine. On the edge of the platform, multiple thoughts run through a diver’s head, questions of whether it is possible to achieve the goal at hand or are they good enough to complete the routine. When they hit the water, it is all in the past.
Junior Grace Murray concluded the Ithaca College gymnastics team's season with her third individual All-American honor, where she competed in the floor event.

Murray caps off gymnastics season with All-American honor

By David Schurter, Co-Sports Editor • April 5, 2025
As the sun sets on the Ithaca College season, the gymnastics team sent six athletes to compete at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association championship in St. Peter, Minnesota, to cap off its bounce-back season. Following a 3-7 duals record in 2024, the Bombers had half as many duals this season, but finished with a 2-3 record and a higher team scoring average.
Load More Stories
Donate to The Ithacan
$565
$4000
Contributed
Our Goal