Ithaca, NY – The Elmira College Men's Soccer team used two late goals to overcome a one goal deficit late and win 2-1 in thrilling fashion against conference rival Ithaca, earning the three seed in the conference tournament. The win improves the Soaring Eagles to 12-2-1 overall and 3-2-1 in Empire 8 play. The loss drops the Bombers to 4-9-1 overall and 3-3-0 in conference play, but they earn the four seed with Utica's loss.
Both teams remained scoreless through 83 minutes of play, despite Ithaca outshooting Elmira 14-3 in the first half. EC held an 8-7 shot advantage in the second half and made its opportunities count. The Bombers struck first at the 83:06 mark when Adam Tamburello played a pass into the center, where Tim Goldman shot inside the far left post. The Soaring Eagles answered just over a minute later when Edward Michelson'12 (Winsted, CT -- Cheshire) scored off a free kick from a whopping 40 yards out. With just under three minutes remaining EC knocked home the game-winner when Jason Guernsey '12 (Cherry Valley, NY -- Cherry Valley) took the ball to the right end line and fed fellow teammate Alston Eldridge '12 (Sharon, CT -- Kent School) who one-touched the ball into the left side, beating Bomber goalkeeper Jordan Gentile. Jared Micheller '12 (Avon, CT – The Winchendon School) made nine huge saves in net for the Soaring Eagles, while Gentile finished with three stops for Ithaca.
With the win Elmira earns the three seed in postseason play and will have a rematch with Nazareth, who they beat earlier in the season 1-0. Stevens, who went undefeated in conference play, will host the postseason tournament. Elmira and Nazareth will play in the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 4th with the game time to be announced soon. Stevens and Ithaca will play in the other semifinal on Friday. The winners of the two games will meet for the Empire 8 Championship on Sunday.
