Jacob Mattice '21 had a stellar showing in goal for the Elmira men's lacrosse team on Saturday afternoon, when the Purple and Gold traveled to Hackettstown, New Jersey, for a non-conference bout against Centenary University (N.J.). The second-year goalkeeper played all 60 minutes in a tough defensive battle with the Cyclones and finished the contest with a career-high-tying 22 saves.
Although the Soaring Eagles were defeated 7-2, the seven goals are the fewest surrendered by EC since defeating Keystone College by a 12-5 final score on April 22, 2018, and are the second-fewest Mattice has allowed in a game as a Soaring Eagle. The Canton, New York, native also logged a career-best .759 save percentage and picked up a pair of ground balls against Centenary.
Mattice ranks 11th in Division III and first in the Empire 8 Conference with a 17.50 saves-per-game average and a .660 save percentage. With the sophomore manning the cage, Elmira's defense is second in the country in saves per game and 18th in man-down defense (0.929).
The Soaring Eagles will return to action tonight, Monday, March 11, when the EC men welcome the Hilbert College Hawks to the Southern Tier for a non-league tilt. Elmira and Hilbert will play under the lights at nearby Notre Dame High School at 7:00 p.m.
