Elmira Stays Atop Men's Soccer Standings With 4-2 Win Over Utica
Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College Soaring Eagles Men’s Soccer team improved its Empire 8 Conference record to 4-0 this season by defeating the Pioneers of Utica College by a score of 4-to-2. Elmira College was able to strike for the lone goal of the first half, and after Utica was able to level the game at one early in the second half, the Purple and Gold erupted for three scores to secure their eighth victory of the season. Elmira College’s overall record now stands at 8-2-2.
Second year standout Alex Poole (Chilmark, MA -- Martha's Vineyard was able to notch the first EC score of the game at the 23:10 mark of the first half. Poole was able to bury a free kick opportunity that was set up by an aggressive play by Ernesto Valverde (East Hampton, NY -- East Hampton) moments before. Ball control was fairly even for the remainder of the half as neither team could produce a quality scoring opportunity. Utica College registered 11 shots in the half, while Elmira totaled 9 shot attempts.
The Pioneers were able to even the game at one at the 52:35 mark of the second half. Utica’s Jonathon Peterson ’14 put the ball into the back of the net off of a free kick scoring chance.
The game remained locked at one for the next fourteen minutes of the game until midfielder Jason Guernsey (Cherry Valley, NY -- Cherry Valley) was able to beat Utica goalkeeper Anthony Caruso for Elmira’s second goal. The play was set up by first year player Ryan Limero (Belchertown, MA -- Dublin School).
Limero was able to notch a goal of his own at the 76:09 mark of the contest to give the Soaring Eagles a commanding 3-to-1 lead heading into the final stages of the game. . Four minutes later, Valverde was able to convert a penalty shot opportunity to give EC a three goal advantage. The contest would conclude 4-to-2 after Utica tallied a late score.
Elmira College goalkeeper Alston Eldridge (Sharon, CT -- Kent School) played an outstanding game in between the posts registering 9 saves during his 90 minute performance.