ONEONTA, NY - Lauren Koppel scored in the 6th minute for the game's only goal as nationally eighth-ranked Ithaca (9-2) defeated Hartwick (4-7) by a 1-0 final score. The Hawks, who gave a spirited effort on the day against the favored Bombers, were led by goalkeeper Alyssa Rondo (Saco, ME/Thornton Academy) who finished the day with a career-best 13 saves.
The Bombers maintain their hold on first-place in the league with a 7-0 mark. Despite the loss, Hartwick sits in a third-place tie with Nazareth with three games to play. The Hawks host the Golden Flyers next Saturday and travel to Stevens (2-3) and Alfred (0-5) later in October in their quest to capture one of four Empire 8 tournament bids.
The lone goal of the afternoon came 5:52 into the first half when Amy Scheffer broke down the sideline on the right side of the Hartwick goal and crossed the ball in front to Koppel who was there to put the finishing touches on the play. It would be the only time all day the Bombers could solve Rondo, who made several big saves over the course of the match to keep 'Wick close.
Later in the opening half, Rondo would stuff both Rachael Palladino and substitute Winnie Adrien on partial breakaways to keep the game 1-0. The Bombers held a large 17-1 advantage in shots and took the only four corners of the half. Rondo would end the half with eight stops.
In the second half, IC took 13 shots but was continually frustrated by Rondo. Her biggest save of the half came in the final four minutes when Adrien got by a pair of Hartwick backs and walked right in to the right of Rondo. The sophomore, however, darted off her line and blocked Adrien's shot. The rebound popped out in front and Palladino put the ball over the crossbar with an open look at the goal.
Hartwick was limited in its scoring chances in the match. Katelyn Bosy (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) and Erin McSherry (Cortland, NY/Cortland) had the best opportunities in the second half but both of their efforts were off target.
Hartwick hosts Naz next Saturday at 2 p.m. A victory over the Golden Flyers would pull the Hawks into a second-place tie with St. John Fisher.
