PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- The Ithaca men's soccer team advanced to the championship game of the Empire 8 Tournament in penalty kicks following a 0-0 tie against St. John Fisher in the semifinal round Friday afternoon at Fisher's Growney Stadium. The Bombers outlasted the Cardinals in 13 rounds of the penalty kicks. Ithaca successfully converted 11 of their 13 chances, while Fisher made 10 of 13.
The scoreless game featured scoring opportunities at both ends, but Bomber goalkeeper Kenny Chapman made three saves at St. John Fisher's goalkeeper Kyle Metcalfe had five saves. The Bombers held a 14-12 advantage in shots during the 110 scoreless minutes of play and a 7-6 advantage in corner kicks.
The Cardinals had their best chance to win the game near the end of the first overtime period when a scramble in the penalty area led to some possession and a shot, but the loose ball was cleared away from the front of the net by Bomber defender Jack Shirley. Ithaca had a similar opportunity in the second overtime period when the Fisher keeper fumbled a ball and it was stolen away by the Bombers. Ithaca took a hard shot that was on net, but Metcalfe recovered in time to parry away the effort.
Three of the first four penalty takers failed to convert their opportunity during PKs as two shots hit the post and one was saved. Ithaca had a one-goal advantage at that point, but in the fifth round of shooters St. John Fisher leveled the score and set up sudden-death penalties. The teams successfully converted over the next seven rounds, until Ithaca broke through in the 13th round of PKs with a goal inside of the left post by Ryan Norland. Fisher's rebuttal effort was tipped by Chapman and off of the right post, and the Bombers advanced.
After 10 rounds of PKs, the teams cycled back to the start of their penalty kick lineup in order.
Kenny Chapman converted twice in the PKs as a shooter, as did Norland. Other successful PKs were taken by A.J. Wolfanger, Lewis Kendall, Dan Shirley, Jack Shirley, Jordan Filipowich, Alex Lawless and Tim Goldman.
The Bombers advance to the finals of the Empire 8 Tournament for the first time since the 2008 season. Ithaca will face the top seed, Stevens Institute of Technology, at 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Utica's Gaetano Stadium.