The #12 Misericordia University women's soccer team played a strong second half but couldn't overcome an early Bombers' goal, as the Cougars fell to #6 Ithaca, 1-0, at Mangelsdorf Field on Tuesday afternoon.
 
The Bombers (11-0-0) controlled the attack in the first half, holding an 11-5 advantage in total shots and a 4-2 advantage in shots on goal.
 
In the 17^th minute, Amanda Callanan slid a ball through to Rachael Palladino, who beat Maureen Ciccosanti for her eight goal of the season to give Ithaca a 1-0 lead, which they took into the locker room.
 
The Cougars came out in the second half looking renewed, controlling possession from the start. Thirty seconds into the period, Megan Lannigan missed just wide on a strike from the left side. Just forty seconds later, Lannigan sent another ball over the goal.
 
MU had another good look in the 64^th minute when Nicolette Hensel served a corner kick to Sam Helmstetter in the box, but Helmstetters header went high of the goal.
 
The Cougars outshot Ithaca 14-6 in the second half, while shots on goal were even at four.
 
Maureen Ciccosanti stopped seven shots in goal for MU in the losing effort.
 
Both of the Cougars' losses this season have come to teams ranked in the top six nationally.
 
MU returns to action on Saturday, when they travel to Delaware Valley for a Freedom Conference contest set to begin at noon.