TROY, N.Y. – The No. 6 Ithaca College men's soccer team traveled to face No. 3 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on Tuesday and the Bombers secured their first Liberty League Tournament victory since the 2023 season with a thrilling 1-0 overtime win.
The Bombers set the tone early, controlling possession and dictating much of the first half. Ithaca's defense limited RPI to just one shot, while the Bombers created several scoring opportunities, outshooting the Engineers 11-1. Possession shifted back and forth late in the half, but neither team was able to break through, sending the game into halftime scoreless.
The contest became more evenly matched in the second half as both teams battled for possession and looked to capitalize on scoring opportunities. As RPI generated more offensive pressure, Ithaca goalkeeper Brayden Milbrandt remained steady in net, keeping the Engineers off the scoreboard and sending the game into overtime.
The Bombers came out strong in the extra period, controlling possession and continuing to pressure the RPI defense. The breakthrough came when Maddox Ward won a header and directed the ball toward Liam Breslin, who capitalized on the opportunity and found the back of the net to secure the overtime victory at the 95:26 mark.
With the win, Ithaca advances to the Liberty League Men's Soccer Championship semifinals. The Bombers head to Poughkeepsie to take on No. 2 seed Vassar College on Friday, November 6.