The Misericordia University field hockey team fell to #20 Ithaca, 4-0, in the Cougars' home opener, Wednesday night at Mangelsdorf Field.
 
Goalkeeper Sarah Bogina made five saves to keep the game within MU's reach.
 
Ithaca contained the majority of play in the first quarter to Misericordia's defensive zone with Bogina turning aside the lone shot she faced in the first 15 minutes of play.
 
The Bombers got on the board 45 seconds into the second quarter and tacked on a second goal less than a minute later, taking a 2-0 lead.
 
The Cougars tightened things up defensively through the remainder of the first half. Misericordia defenders blocked three shots and Bogina came up with another save to keep MU's deficit at two.
 
Bogina continued to protect the cage in the third quarter, stopping a laser of a shot that was earmarked for the right side of the goal. The keeper extinguished two more Ithaca scoring chances in the third frame.
 
The Cougar defense did its part fending off the Bombers' offensive surge, making two blocks to keep the score at 2-0.
 
MU began to generate some momentum in the offensive zone later in the third quarter. With 5:42 remaining, Delaney Miller picked up the ball in close and fired on goal for the Cougars' first shot of the evening.
 
Ithaca netted their third goal at 12:47 of the fourth quarter to take a 3-0 lead.
 
Maggie Woolslayer made her presence known in the defensive end of the field, stopping a ball that came dribbling towards the goal for the defensive save.
 
The Bombers tacked on another goal in the final minute of regulation to finish off the 4-0 victory.
 
MU returns to action at William Paterson, Friday at 6:00.