Donegal, a senior forward for the Soaring Eagles, played the hero in Elmira’s 2-1 comeback victory over Susquehanna University on Sunday, September 3. The East Hampton, New York, native provided the game-winning goal in the 64th minute, which helped erase an early one-goal deficit and hand the Purple and Gold their first win of the 2017 campaign. The tally was Donegal’s first of the season and ninth of his four-year collegiate career.
The scoring play began in Elmira’s defensive third, as Rodney Smith ’19, who scored EC’s first goal of the game, cleared the ball out of the 18-yard box with a leaping header. From there, the ball found its way to Donegal, who played a quick one-two pass with rookie Michael Courtney ’21. The freshman’s one-touch pass put Donegal into space, allowing the senior to race past a handful of River Hawk defenders. Donegal eventually split a pair of Susquehanna backs in their own 18-yard box, before sending a shot through the River Hawk goalie’s legs for the game-winning score, just the second game-winner of his EC career.
Donegal’s goal not only helped Elmira capture its first win of the season, but also the program’s first win over Susquehanna since 1994. The victory snapped a two-game skid against the River Hawks, and also gave EC its first win since October 5, 2016.
