Elmira Ties in OT; Houghton Falls to UB
ELMIRA 1, Alfred State 1
The Elmira College men's soccer team (0-7-2) battled in a tough non-conference road matchup with Alfred State (4-6-1) tonight. 110 minutes would need to be played to decide tonight's outcome as the contest ended in a 1-1 double overtime tie.
Elmira dug an early hole as the Purple and Gold surrendered the game's first goal just 10:21 into the first half. The Alfred State goal was setup on a misplayed ball by the EC defense which allowed the Pioneers' leading scorer, Brandon Holley, to knock-in his fifth goal of the season with ease.
Over 71 minutes would occur between scores but the timing could not have been any sweeter for first-year striker
Ronaldo Charlton '18 who scored the first collegiate goal of his Elmira career in the 82nd minute. Charlton's game-tying goal was assisted by
Victor Rosas-Granda '18 who crossed a pass to the middle of the box where a cluster of players would form, but Charlton would emerge from the group with a blast that tied things up a 1-1.
Charlton's goal would force overtime as the game remained 1-1 at the end of regulation play. Alfred outshot Elmira, 6-to-3 in the two overtime periods but neither team would be able to find the back of the net in the additional 20 minutes of play as tonight's game ended in a 1-1 draw.
EC netminder
Jordan Dougherty '16 was tested once again today as he as forced to make nine saves in 110 minutes of action. Dougherty's nine save effort marks the fourth time this season he has made nine or more saves in a single contest. He now has 53 saves on the season, a mark that leads all Empire 8 Conference goalies.
Buffalo 2, HOUGHTON 0
The Highlanders faced a good test against Division I competition on Wednesday in men's soccer action, losing 2-0 to the University at Buffalo at Burke Field.
The Bulls used their size and strength throughout the contest to create numerous scoring chances. The visitors scored their first goal in the 13th minute when Russell Cicerone dribbled through the Highlander defense and ripped a low 15 yard shot past Houghton keeper
Jacob Dunnett.
But it was Dunnett who kept the Highlanders within a goal for the next 72 minutes, making numerous strong challenges to turn aside the Bulls attack and several spectacular saves to keep the ball out of the net.
Freshman substitute
Jordan Mullen almost tied the score in the 77th minute when he curled in a corner kick that hit the crossbar.
However, Buffalo got the two-goal cushion in the 85th minute when Nicolay Netskar looped a shot from the right corner of the box that caromed off the left post and into the net.
Dunnett wasn't done with his strong play, turning aside one more dangerous attack, tipping a point blank shot over the bar in the last minute of play.
The Bulls outshot the Highlanders, 19-3, and had a 3-2 edge in corners.
Dunnett finished with 11 saves on the night.