Men's Soccer | 11/4/2023 7:39:00 PM
ELMIRA, NY – Top-seed Elmira men's soccer (7-6-5, 5-0-3 E8) played its first-ever Empire 8 Tournament final at Campus Field on Saturday afternoon, looking to secure the first Empire 8 championship in program history. After going down a goal twice to No. 2 seed St. John Fisher University (6-4-7, 5-0-3 E8), including in the second overtime with, Elmira would rally both times to have the game end in a 2-2 tie after overtime and then earn its first Empire 8 title, 4-2 in penalty kicks on Saturday, Nov. 4.
After going down a goal to St. John Fisher in the 23rd minute, the Soaring Eagles tied the game with just over 10 minutes to go in the first half on a Martin Harguindey goal. After a scoreless remainder of regulation, the match went to overtime, where the Cardinals would strike first on a goal in the 101st minute. However, Elmira tied the game again just over a minute later on a penalty won by Mohamed Koroma and converted by Harguindey. Both teams could not find the winner in overtime and the match went to penalty kicks, where EC secured the victory, converting four of its penalty kicks to St. John Fisher's two and bringing home the first Empire 8 title for Elmira College men's soccer.
Elmira found itself down early after being out-shot 3-1 halfway through the first half, conceding the opener on a cross that was headed multiple times before bouncing to the feet of St. John Fisher's Riley Rease, who struck it first time to put St. John Fisher ahead in the title match.
The Soaring Eagles responded in the 35th minute when Cameron Neighoff sent a long ball into the penalty area, where Kerfalla Toure '26 was able to get a touch in front of the goalkeeper. Toure's pass found Harguindey at the far post, who buried the chance to bring Elmira back on level terms.
Despite a few shots by Jose Navea Corporan a few minutes later, Elmira netted just the one goal and went into the break level with St. John Fisher.
The Soaring Eagles nearly gave themselves the lead in the 66th minute on a Corporan effort. The midfielder found the ball at the edge of the penalty box and produced a strong left-footed strike, forcing a save from Cardinals goalkeeper Jadon Schlierf.
The second overtime period did not start well for Elmira as it conceded a go-ahead goal just 29 seconds into the period, meaning the Soaring Eagles would once again have to come back from a one-goal deficit.
Just over one minute after St. John Fisher scored its goal, Elmira had a chance of its own when a ricocheted ball was misplayed by the Cardinal defender, leaving Koroma one-on-one with the St. John Fisher goalkeeper. As the keeper came off his line, Koroma sidestepped past him and was brought down by the Cardinals goalie in the box, giving Elmira a penalty and a chance to one again tie the game. Harguindey stepped to the spot and sent the keeper the wrong way, giving Elmira another equalizer.
After a St. John Fisher sight at goal was saved by Elmira goalkeeper Juan Carlos Cruz Gandia, the second overtime period ended in a tie and the match went to penalty kicks.
Harguindey went first for the Soaring Eagles and calmly converted his chance, once again sending the Cardinals goalkeeper the wrong way and placing his shot into the left-hand side of the net. Cruz Gandia guessed right on St. John Fisher's first penalty, diving to his left and parrying away the penalty attempt, giving Elmira a 1-0 advantage after the first round of penalties.
Koroma stepped up for the Soaring Eagles' third attempt and powered it into the right side of the net. However, the Cardinals would convert their penalty and each side had two conversions through three rounds. Acelino Medford produced a composed finish to convert his penalty, opting for a short run-up and placing the ball into the bottom-left corner of the goal.
St. John Fisher's next attempt hit the woodwork and Jhoan Chavez stepped to the spot with a chance to deliver Elmira men's soccer its first-ever Empire 8 championship. As the keeper dove to his left, Chavez placed the ball in the opposite corner of the goal and gave the Purple & Gold its second-ever Empire 8 championship and first since 2000.
Chavez earned the Empire 8 Championship Most Valuable Player for his play during the tournament.
The Soaring Eagles secured a spot in the NCAA tournament with first and second round action taking place Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 12. The NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Selection Show will air on Monday, November 6, at 2:00 p.m. EST on ncaa.com.
2023 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player
Jhoan Chavez, So., M, Elmira
2023 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Championship Schedule
Saturday, October 28 – First Round
No. 4 Hartwick defeated No. 5 Utica, 2-0 – BOX SCORE
No. 6 Alfred defeated No. 3 Nazareth, 2-1 – BOX SCORE
Wednesday, November 1 - Semifinals
No. 1 Elmira defeated No. 4 Hartwick, 1-0 (2OT) – BOX SCORE
No. 2 St. John Fisher tied No. 6 Alfred, 0-0 (2OT, Fisher advanced 5-3 on PKs) – BOX SCORE
Saturday, November 4 - Championship Final
No. 1 Elmira tied No. 2 St. John Fisher, 2-2 (2OT, Elmira advanced 4-2 on PKs) -– BOX SCORE
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 and YouTube
EMPIRE 8 SOCIAL MEDIA
YouTube – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram