The SUNY Oneonta women's soccer team was edged out, 1-0, on Red Dragon Soccer Field this afternoon as they played host to Ithaca College.

Ithaca came in to today's game as the #5 nationally ranked team in the most recent National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll.

The first half was end-to-end as both teams had some open looks at the goal but were unable to capitalize as the keepers stood their ground. Oneonta's (7-4-3) best opportunity came in th 19th minute as senior Karly DeSimone (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa) was able to maneuver around the defense and get off a good shot that only a diving save by Bombers keeper, Beth Coppolecchia, was able to keep knotted at 0-0.

Ithaca (13-1) had a great opportunity of their own as Holly Niemiec was able to break through the Oneonta backline. Oneonta's starting keeper, Rori Stark (Brewster/Brewster), was able to thwart the breakaway as Niemeic touched the ball a bit to far in front and Stark made a terrific one-on-one save to send the game into the halftime break still tied at 0's.

The Bombers went on the offensive to start the second half as a shot by Kelsey King from 20 yards out hit the crossbar in the 50th minute of play.

Oneonta would counter with a right-footed blast by sophomore Caitlyn LaPier (Chazy/Chazy) that was saved by Coppolecchia.

Ithaca had the one break they needed as they countered off a Red Dragons corner kick at the 53:07 mark. Ellyn Grant-Keane picked up the loose ball just outside her own 18 yard box and played it forward to Meredith Jones, who found herself with 50 yards of open space. Before a defender could close her, she was able to tuck the ball under Kelley Murphy (Albany/Colonie Central), who had came in to the game in the first half for an injured Stark, to give the Bombers the 1-0 lead.

With 20 minutes to play in the game, Oneonta picked up the pressure and had their best scoring opportunity in the 73rd minute. Junior Sarah Glowa (Burnt Hills/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) worked the ball down the right side of the field and served a ball into the box that Coppolecchia perryed off the crossbar. The ball fell right in front of the goal but was unable to be tucked home by any Oneonta player.

Oneonta would have three more cracks at tying the game in the last nine minutes on shots by sophomores Kayla Ceschini (Miller Place/Miller Place), LaPier and Liz Lasota (Cutchogue/Mattituck), but Coppolecchia stood tall to preserve the shutout victory.

The Red Dragons outshot the Bombers 13-11 as Ithaca held a slight advantage in corner kicks 4-3.

Stark made 2 saves and Murphy 3, while their counterpart Coppolecchia made nine.

Oneonta will be in action again this Friday as they host Buffalo State in a game starting at 3 p.m.