ITHACA, NY – Senior Megan Buttinger scored in the 39th minute and the score held as Ithaca College defeated Vassar College in Liberty League action on Saturday afternoon. The victory moves the Bombers to 13-3 overall with a 7-2 league mark, while the Brewers are now 9-6-1 and 4-4-1 in the Liberty League.

Ithaca has secured the second-seed in the upcoming Liberty League Tournament and will receive a First Round bye to play in the Semifinals next Saturday at William Smith. The Brewers have secured the sixth-seed in the playoffs and will travel to third-seeded Union on Tuesday at 7pm for a First Round game in Schenectady.

Vassar, which owned an 8-4 advantage in shots for the opening half of action, peppered Ithaca goalie Claire Reader quickly as sophomore Jacqueline Morrison and junior Isabel Leinenweber each recorded shots on goal in the open nine minutes.

The Brewers continued to fire in shots as another from Morrison, along with one from rookie London Wilkes and senior Skylar Herrera-Ross all went just wide of the net.

Despite that momentum, Vassar found itself down in the 39th minute as a short touch by Alex Epifani over to Buttinger gave the Bombers the opportunity for the tally. The Brewers continued to press at the end of the half as sophomore Justine Tapert and Leinenweber both fired in shots on goal, which were stopped by Reader.

Second half action saw Ithaca gain a bit more momentum of their own as Epifani and Rosie Bostian both forced Brewers goalie Claire Mackenzie to make stops. Rookie Noelle Namba had a pair of shots soon after, but Reader grabbed one, while the other went just wide left.

Ithaca's defense held strong over the final three minutes as Morrison fired in another shot that was stopped by Reader, while a Namba shot was blocked to end the threat and secure the win for the Bombers.

Reader earned the victory, making six saves, while Mackenzie had four stops in goal for the Brewers.