Ithaca Claims Women's Soccer Championship
Top-seeded and host Ithaca scored a pair of second-half goals Sunday to overcome second-seeded Nazareth, 3-1, to capture the Empire 8 Conference championship for women's soccer.
The Bombers, ranked seventh nationally, improved to 16-2 overall and claimed an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament. It marked the ninth time that Ithaca has either won outright or shared the E8 title. Nazareth, which has competed in every conference title game the past 12 seasons, finishes the season 11-7-2 overall.
Jackie Rodabaugh gave the Bombers the early lead in the seventh minute as her fourth goal of the season was assisted by Holly Niemiec.
Nazareth got the equalizer from Oliva Derleth in the 27th minute to tie the score at 1-1. It was Derleth's 10th goal of the season and was assisted by sophomore
Courtney Malia.
Ithaca picked up the pace in the second half and had an 11-3 shooting advantage. Ellyn Grant-Keane scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 57th minute off an assist from Rodabaugh. Ithaca scored again in the 81st miute as Niemiec converted a pass from Taylor Baranowsky.
Beth Coppolecchia went the distance for Ithaca and made four saves. Senior
Bethany Novak played all 90 minutes in goal for Nazareth and made nine saves.
Ithaca #10-Aimee Chimera – Fr./B (MVP)
Ithaca #20-Ellyn Grant-Keane –Sr./F
Ithaca #22-Amanda Callanan – Sr./M
Ithaca #24-Anna Gray – Sr./B
Nazareth #17-Sarah Cipperly – Sr./B
Nazareth #19-Anne Czelusniak – Sr./M
Nazareth-#23 -Olivia Derleth – Sr./F
Fisher #20-Alex Rohloff –Sr./M
Fisher #9 -Carly Finn – Fr./M
Stevens #12-Caitlyn Labonte – Sr./B
Stevens #33-Bridgette Barden – Sr./M