PRINCE ATHLETIC COMPLEX – In a game that was a defensive battle throughout, visiting Ithaca College posted two second half goals to secure a 2-0 win over the University of Rochester in Liberty League field hockey action on Saturday evening at Edwin Fauver Stadium.
 
23rd-ranked Ithaca moves to 7-5 overall with the victory, jumping up to 2-1 in the Liberty League. 18th-ranked Rochester falls to 10-3 on the year and is 1-2 in the conference.
 
Ithaca's defense combined to limit Rochester to just five shots total in the game and only two through the first three quarters. Rochester's back line was just as stingy though, holding the bombers to just ten shot attempts, and six through the first 45 minutes of play.
 
Rochester held a slim edge in penalty corners, leading 5-4, including four in the fourth quarter along.
 
In the opening quarter, UR had the first shot on goal come off the stick of Zoe Conomikes at the 8:07 mark, but her attempt was saved by Ithaca keeper Maeve Clark.
 
Less than a minute later, Ithaca earned the first corner of the contest and Madeleine Goodman's hard shot from the center circle trickled just wide.
 
In the second, Rochester's opening corner came in the 18th minute, with that opportunity ending in a shot from Anya Arseneau that found its target, but Clark again denied the UR player, making one of three saves on the day.
 
Two minutes into the second half, Ithaca's Catherine Papa made a nice play to find space in the circle and ripped a hard blast from five yards, but Rochester's Kara Houston made a terrific save, keeping the game scoreless.
 
Ithaca broke the draw in the final minute of the third on a penalty corner. After sending the ball into the top of the circle, a pass was made to the right win to Natalie Descalso who slid the ball in front. Amongst the traffic, the ball found the stick of Juliana Valli for the redirect into the cage for the 1-0 lead.
 
The Bombers momentum carried over into the fourth quarter as the next shot attempt in the game also found the net just 28 seconds in. This time, Descalso maintained possession and reached the right end line. She dropped back a pass to Papa who flicked a 5-yard backhand past Houston, doubling the Ithaca lead to 2-0.
 
Rochester ramped up its pressure with the deficit now two, but was unable to break through for a goal, despite earning three corners and three shots on goal over the final five minutes.
 
With less than two minutes on the clock, Conomikes unleashed a penalty corner blast that was blocked. The rebound was scooped up by Hannah Mehta in front, but Clark was there for the save, preserving the shutout for the visiting Bombers.
 
Prior to the game, the Yellowjackets honored six seniors and graduate students with a Senior Day ceremony, celebrating their careers at the River Campus. Conomikes, Mara Heppard, Emily Ren, Erin Fleming, Jodie Zeng and Jessica Unkel all were celebrated pre-game with their families and teammates.
 
Rochester continues its four-match homestand next Wednesday evening with a 7 pm matchup against St. John Fisher.