ITHACA, NY – The University of Rochester field hockey team lost a hard fought defensive battle on Sunday afternoon, falling to host Ithaca College 1-0 in a Liberty League conference matchup.
 
The loss snaps Rochester's three-game winning streak and drops the Yellowjackets record to 7-3 overall and 1-1 in the conference. Ithaca's win propels the Bombers to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
 
Ithaca scored the lone goal of the contest late in the fourth quarter, with Morgan Mullen tapping in a long cross from the right side just inside the left post. The goal in the 57th minute was Mullen's team leading sixth of the season and came off a deflected pass from Amberly Christiansen.
 
After the goal, UR applied offensive pressure, earning two penalty corners in the last three minutes, the teams first since the opening quarter. On the first attempt with 75 seconds left, Vivienne Tucker had her shot attempt blocked, leading to another corner.
 
The final corner of the game saw UR get off two shot attempts, the first by Juney Lee was blocked, and a follow up attempt by Mara Heppard was saved by Ithaca keeper Macy Brandwein.
 
Overall, Rochester held the 12-7 lead in the shot category and took five corners to Ithaca's three in the game.
 
UR earned its other three corners in the first quarter, but each of the three times saw a 'Jacket foul thwart the scoring opportunity.
 
Late in the opening half, Ithaca had a flurry of chances in the closing two minutes. After a save by Abigail Walrond in goal, the Bombers earned a penalty corner which led to two shots.
 
The first shot, by Grace Ziehnert was saved by Walrond stacking her pads. The second came after the rebound, but defender Mara Heppard was in a good position at the right post and was there for the defensive save, keeping the game scoreless.
 
Rochester returns to the field on Tuesday evening, taking on SUNY Brockport on the road at 7:15 pm.