Ithaca, N.Y. - The Ithaca College field hockey team secured a spot in the upcoming Liberty League Championship as the Bombers took down Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) 1-0 on Senior Day at Higgins Stadium. With the win, Ithaca improves to 12-3 overall and 5-0 in the Liberty League, while RPI drops to 7-7 and 3-2. The loss was the first since October 2 for the Engineers.

It took IC just 14 seconds to jump ahead in Sunday's contest. The Bombers sent the opening touch into RPI territory, and eventually Morgan Mullen raced down the right side, flicked a short cross into the middle of the circle to Natalie Descalso and her deflection found Samantha Horowitz for an open shot on goal.

In the third quarter, RPI drew three corners within a 25-second span with 10 minutes to go. The first shot attempt was blocked by the Bombers defense, while the second went down as a defensive save for Allison Egan and the third was sent away by Macy Brandwein for her second save of the contest.

IC and RPI battled for possession much of the fourth quarter. In the waning minutes of the game, Rensselaer drew a corner with 2:47 to go. Off the insert, RPI's Brianna Duba fired off her sixth shot (four on goal) of the game, but Brandwein was there once again to send the ball away from goal. That was the final opportunity the Engineers had in the contest.

Brandwein finished with three saves in the game to earn her ninth win of the season and fifth shutout. Jen Richardson made four saves for RPI, which had three shutouts in its five-game winning streak.

IC held a slim, 7-6, edge in shots, while Rensselaer earned nine corners to Ithaca's four.

The Bombers host St. Lawrence next Friday afternoon at 4pm, while the Engineers are back in action on Friday at William Smith at 5pm.