Men's Soccer | 10/26/2023 2:11:18 PM
Elmira College, St. John Fisher University, Nazareth University, Hartwick College, Utica University and Alfred University will compete for the 2023 Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Championship, which starts on Saturday, Oct. 28 and wraps up Saturday, Nov. 4, with all games played at the higher seed.
No. 3 seed Nazareth will host No. 6 Alfred and No. 4 seed Hartwick will host No. 5 seed Utica in opening round games on Saturday, Oct. 28. The winner of Hartwick vs. Utica will travel to face top-seed Elmira on Wednesday, Nov. 1, while No. 2 seed St. John Fisher is set to host the winner of Nazareth and Alfred, also on Wednesday. The two semifinal winners will meet for the 2023 Empire 8 Championship on Saturday, Nov. 4 at a time to be determined.
The league champion receives an automatic berth into the 2023 NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship, which begins on Nov. 11-12.
2023 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship Tournament Participating Teams
No. 1 – Elmira College (5-0-3 E8, 6-6-4 Overall)
No. 2 – St. John Fisher University (5-0-3 E8, 6-4-5 Overall)
No. 3 – Nazareth University (5-2-1 E8, 10-3-2 Overall)
No. 4 – Hartwick College (4-4-2 E8, 7-4-4 Overall)
No. 5 – Utica University (3-3-2 E8, 5-8-3 Overall)
No. 6 – Alfred University (2-4-2 E8, 5-7-4 Overall)
Elmira clinched a share of the Empire 8 regular season and is the top overall seed in the tournament for the first time in program history. The Soaring Eagles went 5-0-3 in league play and out-scored foes, 12-2 in those contests. Martin Harguindey leads the Empire 8 with 11 goals and is tied for the league lead with 24 points in 16 contests. He had 12 points, including three game-winning goals in league play. Mohamed Koroma is second on the team with seven points on three goals and an assist. Goalkeeper Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia leads the Empire 8 with a 0.69 goals against average. In league play, he was 4-0-3 between the pipes with a 0.15 goals against average and a .941 save percentage. The Soaring Eagles are in the E8 Tournament for the first time since 2019 and seventh time in program history.
No. 2 seed St. John Fisher earned a share of the Empire 8 regular season title and is looking to win its second E8 title in the last four seasons. The Cardinals went 5-0-3 in league play, out-scoring its opponents, 11-4 in the eight games. Riley Rease leads the team in scoring with 10 points on four goals and two assists, all of which has come in league play, while Tim Brown has four goals and Joey Avallone has three tallies. Goalkeeper Jadon Schlierf is 3-1-3 in goal this season, having recorded a 0.79 goals against average and a .833 save percentage with six solo shutouts. Christian Burkhart also has three wins in net. The Cardinals are in the E8 Tournament for the fourth straight season and 14th time overall.
No. 3 seed Nazareth enters the Empire 8 Tournament with a 10-3-2 overall record and 5-2-1 mark in conference play. The Golden Flyers led the E8 standings until the final day of the regular season and are out-scoring their opponents, 26-10 this season. Jake Pawlika leads the Golden Flyers and is tied for the league lead in scoring with 24 points on 10 goals and four assists. Drew Decker is also enjoying an excellent season for Nazareth with four goals and five assists for 13 points, while Jack Lannon has three goals. Goalkeeper Patrick Larkin leads the league with an .875 save percentage and is second with a 0.71 goals against average in 15 games played this season. The Golden Flyers are in the tournament for the seventh straight season and 16th time in program history.
Hartwick, which played at the Division I level until the 2018 season, is in the Empire 8 Tournament for the second consecutive season. The fourth-seeded Hawks enter the tourney with a 7-4-4 overall record and went 4-2-2 in league play. Sean Burke leads the team in scoring this season with six goals and 12 points. Jake Daly has four goals and nine points, while Jim Mahony and Andres Ordonez Acosta have five points each. The Hawks have allowed just 11 goals in 15 games this season. In goal, Dante Gesamondo had recorded a 0.87 goals against average.
No. 5 seed Utica finished 3-3-2 in E8 play during the 2023. The Pioneers advanced to the Empire 8 Championship match last season and are in the league tournament for the eighth time in program history. Byamungu Mugushu leads the Pioneers in scoring this season with 13 points on six goals and an assist. 13 goals and four assists. Cody Baker-Green is second on the team in scoring with six points on two goals and two assists. Goalkeepers Foti Xidias and Eduardo Paez have split time in net this season. Paez has a 1.24 goals against average in six E8 contests.
Alfred is making its ninth all-time appearance in the Empire 8 Tournament and fifth trip in the last six seasons. First-year Gavin Culley leads the sixth-seeded Saxons in scoring this season with 17 points on eight goals and an assist, while Chase Freeland has 13 points on five goals and three helpers. Matthew Osmundson has taken control of the starting goalkeeper’s role and has a 1.49 goals against average and a .798 save percentage.
Nazareth defeated Alfred at Golden Flyer Stadium by a score of 2-0 during the regular season on Oct. 7. Matt Bamford and Jack Lannon scored for the Golden Flyers, while Patrick Larkin made 11 saves. Hartwick earned a 3-1 win over first round opponent from Elmore Field on Oct. 4. Jim Mahony scored a pair of second half goals to break a 1-1 draw, while Sean Burke also scored for the Hawks.
Nazareth is looking for its sixth league championship and third in the last five seasons, while Elmira, Hartwick and Utica are looking for their first E8 titles. Alfred and St. John Fisher both are attempting to win their third league crowns.
This weekend's championship schedule is below. For the most up to date information on this year's championship, visit
www.empire8.com and follow the Empire 8 Conference on X and Instagram (@Empire8).
2023 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship Schedule
Saturday, October 28 – First Round
No. 5 Utica at No. 4 Hartwick – 2 p.m.
No. 6 Alfred at No. 3 Nazareth – 2:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 1 - Semifinals
Winner of Utica vs. Hartwick at No. 1 Elmira – TBA
Winner of Alfred vs. Nazareth at No. 2 St. John Fisher – TBA
Saturday, November 4 - Championship Final
Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 at Highest Remaining Seed – TBD
Admission
$6.00 - Adults
$4.00 - Students and seniors with ID
Free - Children under 12
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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