Elmira, NY – The Soaring Eagles Men's Soccer team posted a 2-0 shutout of the Bearcats of Baruch College in the ECAC Division III Metro-Upstate Quarterfinal match. Today's game was a very competitive one with both teams playing physical and looking to strike often.

The game was at a standstill for the first thirty minutes with both teams feeling each other out. Both teams would have scoring opportunities but neither team would convert on any of their chances. Baruch midfielder Alex Ruiz '11 (Ridgewood, NY -- American School) picked up a yellow card at the 32:41 mark which set up a free kick for the Soaring Eagles just outside the 18. On the free kick, Elmira would send the ball into the box before the ball made its way to fourth year player Jeremy Brand '11 (Cato, NY -- Cato-Meridian) who was on the out-skirts of the 18. Brand would get a touch on the ball before sending a rocket into the upper right corner of the net, beating the keeper for the game's first score at the 32:46 mark. EC would hold the 1-0 lead going into the half.

EC would get out to a fast start to the second half as the nearly stung the Bearcats in the opening minute of the half. Both teams would hold the other in check for the next 23 minutes of play before EC produced another score at the 69:14 mark. Empire 8 All-Conference First Team player Scott Leone '14 (Guilford, CT -- Guilford) would make a run up the left side of the field before receiving a perfect through-ball from teammate Erik Lee '13 (Suffield, CT -- Suffield). With the ball at his feet Leone took the keeper one-on-one before burying a shot into the lower right corner of the net. This score would mark the final goal of the contest, giving EC the 2-0 victory.

Defensively Elmira was very sound, allowing only 5 shots on goal in the whole game. The solid defensive efforts can be credited to Joey Milligan '14 (Pasadena, MD -- Pasadena), Ryan Limero '14 (Belchertown, MA -- Dublin School), Nick Viola '12 (Portland, ME -- Deering) and Nick Alvers '11 (Wilson, NY -- Wilson Central) as they shut down a Bearcat offense that had put up 8 goals in their previous three games. Alex Todd '13 (Elmira, NY -- Notre Dame) earned the win for Elmira as he made 5 saves in net today.

With today's win Elmira advances to the semifinal contest where they face the three seed Rutgers-Camden. The semifinal contest is scheduled for Saturday November 13th at 3:00 p.m.