Ithaca

Conference games are always the most important games of the season. If we win enough conference games we will get to participate in the conference tournament, and winning that will take us to the NCAAs. The conference games are the only games that really count! Our first conferee opponent was Ithaca. It was definitely a great game. Both teams wanted to win so badly, and neither team ever gave up the fight to score.

At half time the score was still 0-0 but the Ducks clearly had the advantage in shots and corner opportunities. All we needed was to wear down the goalie and one would fall. The first tally of the game came on a corner. Grace inserted the ball to Karen who passed to me on her right. A defender quickly came in front of me. Without the opportunity to rip a shot, I did a little lift over her stick to send the ball towards the goal. But that ball didn't stop. It rolled in slow motion right past the goalie and into the cage. It wasn't a pretty goal by any means, but it was my first one of the season and it felt great. It was probably scored because of the bowling we did the night before. The team went bowling in the basement of Howe and I did a great job of getting the ball around the pins. Only difference was that wasn't what I was trying to do.

The second goal came less than 2 min later when Lauren earned us an offensive stroke. She was winding up for a shot with no defenders back to stop her, but one hacked her stick from behind. My roommate Jill stepped up to take the stroke. She scored no problem. Hitting the side board. We all celebrated. Being up 2-0 was awesome.

However the Refs were stroke happy it turned out. We then got 2 strokes called against us almost back to back. No biggie though. Ellyn LOVES strokes. She saved them both, making it look easy; which I can guarantee you it's not. Although Ithaca did score one goal to end the game 2-1 it we were still all thrilled with the win. One more bombers team defused and one more step towards the Empire 8 championship.

-Mal