NEW PALTZ, NY – Sage picked up its first loss of the season Saturday afternoon in a 2-0 loss against No. 23 Ithaca.

Ithaca (1-0) is an NCAA Division III dynasty with a winning tradition. The Bombers won a pair of national championships in 1990 and 1991, and they have totaled 26 NCAA playoff appearances, the most of any school. They've been to four straight NCAA semifinal visits.

Freshman Maegan Villa (Rock Tavern, NY/Washingtonville) got off the first shot of the game in the 3^rd minute, but Ithaca responded with 12 straight shots over the next 39 minutes. Sophomore Samantha Trimblett (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury) added another shot before halftime for the Gators, but it went wide.

In the 60^th minute, Ithaca's Jordyn Haynes put the Bombers up 1-0 off a Megan Nash assist. A minute later Haynes scored the insurance goal off a Jocelyn Ravesi cross in the six yard box. Sage's (2-1) Joleen Marfone (Remsen, NY/Remsen) tried to cut down the Bomber lead at the end of regulation, but keeper Stacey DiCiorgio saved the shot to hold on for the shutout.

DiGiorgio (1-0) was credited with the win. Together with Karen Macke in goal during the first half, Ithaca recorded a shutout on a combined two save effort. Sage's Cassy Robataille (Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam) (2-1) recorded a career high 13 saves in the loss.

Sage's will play their home opener Fri. Sept., 9 against Plattsburgh State. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at the Albany College of Pharmacy Athletic Complex.