Men's Soccer | 9/1/2021 8:21:00 PM
ALFRED, N.Y. -- The Elmira College men's soccer team opened up the 2021 season with a 3-0 victory over host Alfred State at Pioneer Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. The Soaring Eagles withstood 17 shots from the Pioneers and were able to take advantage of six shots of their own, scoring on each of their three put on net. The win marked the first of the Lamine Balde era, who is in his first season as head coach at the collegiate level.
JUST THE BASICS:
SCORE: Elmira 3, Alfred State 0
LOCATION: Alfred, N.Y.
TEAM RECORDS: Elmira (1-0, 0-0 E8), Alfred State (0-1, 0-0 AMCC)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Moustapha Camara '22 got the Soaring Eagles on the board in the 13th minute after chasing down a long ball which he won from the defender. After working his way past the defense, Camara lifted a shot over the keeper from right near the penalty area. Lutho Mlunguza '23 nearly added to the early lead with two shot attempts as the half progressed, but each was slightly off the mark.
Elmira played an aggressive style of defense throughout the second half, specifically in the first 12 minutes to set the tone. Camara had a chance in the 60th minute to get his second goal of the match and missed top right. Eight minutes later Elmira took advantage off a corner kick to take a 2-0 lead. After the ball was cleared from the box, Tony Valencia '22 headed a perfect pass from the penalty area back into the box where Samer Slim '22 guided it into the back of the net.
The Purple & Gold competed hard over the final 30 minutes of the contest before adding another to secure Elmira's first win of the season. With a minute left to play, Elmira took advantage of another corner kick as a header that fell to David Rojas '22 was directed back to the right side of the box where Aiden Cole '25 blasted it past the keeper. The goal marked the first of Cole's career in his first collegiate career. Cole saw four minutes of action at the end of the match.
UP NEXT:
Elmira returns to action on Saturday, September 4, for their 2021 home opener at Campus Field against Hilbert College. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.