ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Elizabethtown College men's soccer team dropped their season opener, 2-0, at Ithaca on Saturday.

Elizabethtown (0-1) had to withstand the first portion of the opening half without much of the ball as Ithaca pressed and maintained possession.

The Blue Jays eventually swung that into their own favor and proved to be the more dangerous team, spending more time in the Bombers' defensive third. The issue became generating quality chances on goal.

Off a corner later in the half, the ball fell to Elias Homer, but his shot was blocked close to goal and Ithaca cleared the ball away.

The Bombers scored the opening goal in the final 10 minutes of the half to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Ithaca held Etown at bay to start the second half, but like the first, the Jays held strong and began churning out opportunities in the Bombers' half.

Jude Ashley's chance forced a save and a corner as EC looked for the game-tying goal.

It proved elusive as Ithaca would jump on a defensive miscue and bury a shot to make it 2-0.

Caba Alvarez had a team-high three shots. His last effort, and one from Manny Velazquez were both blocked as they were sent goalward. Late chances by Jason Stark and Homer couldn't find the back of the net either as Ithaca held off any Etown comeback attempt.

The Blue Jays will host Penn State Berks on Wednesday, September 3, in their home opener at Ira R. Herr Field.