ONEONTA, NY – Little separated Hartwick and Ithaca for 90 minutes but a Bomber goal in the 59^th minute proved to be the difference in a 1-0 'Wick loss Tuesday night in Empire 8 Conference women's soccer on Elmore Field.
           
The Hawks, who fall for just the second time this season, slip to 8-2 overall and 2-1 in league play. Ithaca, ranked ninth in the latest NSCAA East Region poll, improves to 6-3-1 and 3-0-1 in the Empire 8.
           
The game-winning goal came off the foot of Kelsey King. Following a misplayed clearance, the ball bounced to King 30 yards from goal. She turned, dribbled toward the top of the Hartwick box, and drove a shot out of the reach of 'Wick keeper Megan McGillycuddy (Glenville, NY/Scotia-Glenville) from 22 yards away.
           
The Hawks registered three shots the rest of the way but none of them were troubling for Bomber goalkeeper Beth Coppolecchia as IC closed out the victory.
           
Most of the scoring chances came in the first half of action. The visitors had the first opportunity on a long shot from Megan Nash three and a half minutes in. Her shot forced McGillycuddy to punch the ball over the crossbar for an Ithaca corner.  
           
Six minutes later, the Hawks generated a chance when defender Nicolette Wilson (East Meadow, NY/East Meadow) slid a pass to Casey Boucher (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge). To the left of the IC goal, Boucher fired on target, but right at Coppolecchia.
           
Less than 14 minutes later, a Boucher free kick near midfield made its way deep to the far post. Madison Miller (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) won the header but Coppolechia was able to make the stop.
           
Ithaca nearly jumped in front in the 29^th minute. King hit a shot from 25 yards away that had McGillycuddy beat, but it rang off the post keeping the game level.
              
The two teams would finish the night even in shots with nine apiece. McGillycuddy made two saves for 'Wick. Coppolecchia made five saves for the Bombers.
           
Hartwick looks to shake off the setback when it hits the road this weekend for a pair of Empire 8 matches. The Hawks play at Houghton on Saturday and at Alfred Sunday.