UTICA, NY - A strong defensive effort could not overcome a powerful Ithaca Bombers offense as the Utica University field hockey team fell to its former Empire 8 Conference foes 5-1 on Wednesday night. 
 
While the Pioneers went out to a quick start offensively with a penalty corner and a shot by Riley Cosimeno (Sherrill, NY/Vernon-Verona-Sherrill), Ithaca turned the tides. The visitors put four shots on goal over the first 13 minutes however, Lyla Cushman (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent) made three saves while Madison Ranalli (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) made a defensive save to keep the game 0-0 after one quarter. 
 
The game remained a scoreless tie until the 27th minute when the Bombers converted on a penalty stroke for the only score of the half for either side as they game enter the third quarter with the Pioneers trailing 1-0. 
 
The Ithaca offense came out in full force in the second half, scoring twice in the third on six looks at the cage as well as twice more in the fourth on another nine shot attempts. Mackenzie Mix (Camden, NY/Camden) tallied Utica's only goal in the 55th minute as she controlled the ball the length of midfield and took it to the house to make the score, at the time, 4-1 before Ithaca went on to take the 5-1 win. 
 
The Utica defense held strong all night as Ithaca took 28 shots, 18 on goal, and forced 23 penalty corners. Yet, Cushman made eight saves while Ranalli totaled four defense saves as well as one by Kylee Wojciechowski (Holland Patent, NY/Holland Patent). 
 
Utica (3-6, 2-1 Empire 8) will remain home on Saturday as the team hosts Keuka College. Game time is set for 6 p.m. from Charles A. Gaetano Stadium.