ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Washington & Jefferson field hockey team clinched a berth in the Empire 8 field hockey tournament with a 2-1 win at Ithaca.

With the win, the Presidents return to the E8 tournament after a one-year hiatus. W&J improves to 9-5 overall and 5-0 in the conference, maintaining pace with first-place Utica who is 6-0, half game ahead of the Presidents and St. John Fisher (5-0 E8). Ithaca drops to 5-7 on the year and 3-3 in the league.

After a scoreless first half, Amanda Steffey gave the Presidents a 1-0 lead 2:57 into the second period when she scored on a rebound from Allison Morrissey for her team-leading 10th goal of the season. Caroline Kallos extended the margin to 2-0 at the 46:51 mark on a shot from high circle that went in through traffic after a pass from Gina Taglieri.

The hosts halved the deficit to 2-1 in the 62nd minute, but W&J held on for the 2-1 victory.

The Bombers held a 15-6 lead on shots in the game, thanks to a 7-1 advantage in the first half. Steffey led W&J with three shots. Kallos added two and Morrissey the other.

Morgan Brozena improved to 5-4 on the year, making two saves in 90 minutes.

The Presidents now begin a three-game home stand, including hosting Utica and St. John Fisher at Cameron Stadium. Utica is up first with the start scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18.