This past weekend,  our Empire 8 regular season ended with a tie against Nazareth.  After 110 minutes of action, the score remained 0-0 even though we had a 27-12 shot advantage. Due to the tiebreaker rules for the E8 tournament, Nazareth will be hosting on Nov. 6 and 7.  Some teams may see this as a setback to achieving our goals, but we’re not like most teams. Having to travel means we have to work harder in order to win the conference tournament and earn the automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. It will motivate us to set higher standards in practice and to focus on every aspect of our game. 

This week will mark the end of our regular season with our last two games against regional opponents. Our last home game on Carp Wood field will be on Tuesday Oct. 26 against Oneonta, then we will travel to Rensselaer on Saturday for our final match. Coach has emphasized how important these last two games are and how they will help prepare us for post-season. We have to end the season on a strong note so we can go into the E8 tournament with confidence.

We have accomplished a lot this season despite having to overcome several obstacles. From tough losses to injuries, we have taken every hit and come back stronger. Our senior class has reached the NCAA quarterfinals for the past three seasons, and we believe this is the year we will advance to the final four. We have the potential, and it is up to us to prove we have the desire to win. 

“Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can’t Lose!”

-Friday Night Lights

Nancy Patterson, a 2001 Ithaca graduate who spent four seasons with the gymnastics team, was recently inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Lakeland High School, her alma mater.

Strength.  Pride.  Heart.  These are just a few of many words that describe our playing mentality.  With the conclusion of every practice, we’ll always “bring it in” for a huddle.  As we gather around each other and put our hands in the center, a senior will call out a teammate. The person chosen is given the task of choosing a word.  “The word” is inspirational; it’s a reflection of our character, our beliefs, our team.  Whatever the word may be, it signals the end of a day’s hard work after the count of three (or thrice depending on who’s counting). 

This weekend will be a test of our character as we fight to stay atop of the Empire 8. Both our games will be against E8 opponents, kicking off against Alfred on Saturday and St. John Fisher on Sunday at Carp Wood Field.  As I’ve mentioned before, one of our goals this season is to go undefeated in the conference so we will be able to host the E8 tournament. We are still tied with Nazareth College for the first place spot since we are both undefeated in the conference. 

With two wins under our belt since our loss against Cortland, it is our responsibility to make sure we continue our winning streak and play our hearts out. We know every team we play will be bringing their best game, so it’s our job to make sure we bring ours too. Over half the season has gone by so it’s important that we remain focused on our goals, remember our values and make sure we implement them in every game.  

No matter what the outcome for this weekend may be, one thing is certain. Before we walk off Carp Wood Field on Sunday, we will end our game with the most influential word of all being echoed across campus: “Bombers.” 

Last Saturday the women’s soccer team played against rival Cortland. After 90 minutes of play, the scored wasn’t in our favor as we lost 1-0. Even though we had a 20-8 shot advantage, Cortland’s first half goal was enough to defeat us.

No matter what the situation is, there will always be highlights and lowlights. The moments filled with success are always great, but how you handle the struggles, the heartaches, the pain; how you overcome adversity is what defines you. That is why with the recent loss to Cortland, we will hold our heads up high and look forward. Though we may hate to admit it, the Red Dragons did exploit our weaknesses, and it is now our job to make sure it doesn’t happen again. As Coach mentioned, our opponents will be watching this game tape when they prepare to play against us.

“Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.”
-John Wooden

It’s our responsibility to take the initiative and force ourselves to work on these weaknesses in order to prepare for our next game against Elmira College. It is a conference game so we need to win in order to remain on top of the Empire 8. As of now, we are tied for first place with Nazareth College. We need to apply the lessons learned from each game and use them to elevate our level of play in order to continue to dominate the E8. I’m confident that we’ll be able to overcome our loss to Cortland and use it as motivation for the rest of the season.

Danielle D'Avanzo is a sophomore on the Bomber women's soccer team.

Vision without action is a daydream,
Action without vision is a nightmare.
-Japanese Proverb

Twenty miles away may seem like a friendly neighbor, and if you traveled 20 miles in any direction besides northeast of Ithaca, that’s what you would find. What lies in such a barren land northeast on Route 13 from our gorges Ithaca campus? …Cortland. Even if Red Dragons aren’t real, the bitter rivalry is. The Cortaca Jug, for real "futbol", will take place Saturday Sept. 25 on Carp Wood Field at noon between both women’s soccer teams.

For the past three years our “biggest little game” has been an up and down battle taking a fight to the 90th minute (one year to the 110th minute) to name a victor. Ithaca has won two of the last three contests. In 2008, the last time the game was played at Carp Wood Field, the outcome was a 0-0 tie after double overtime.

The Cortland game is more than just a regional game; it’s a highlight on the schedule. It’s a game about pride that’s decided by effort and heart. Although Cortland isn’t always our biggest game, it’s a special one. You’re playing for something bigger than yourself; you’re representing the entire Ithaca College community and you can’t let them down. The animosity that is felt toward Cortland is built up from years of history, and the rivalry is played in order to continue the tradition, the tradition of Bomber domination.

As anticipation rises for Saturday, we know we have to maintain focus at practice. The intensity and competition at practice this week has been fierce as we strive to make ourselves better each time we step onto the field. We have been working on playing Bomber soccer, and not worried about the Cortland strategy. We have to go into the game with a respect for Cortland, but we will take whatever they throw at us, and give it right back. Saturday is about pride and swagger, and going into the game knowing we have to carpe diem.

Liz Masucci is a graduate student in her fourth year with Ithaca's program.