Box Score

Elmira, NY – The Elmira College Men's Soccer team shut out visiting Utica College 1-0 Saturday afternoon on its home turf to earn the fourth and final berth in the Empire 8 conference playoffs. The win improves the Soaring Eagles to 12-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play, while the loss drops the Pioneers to 8-8-1 overall and 2-4-0 in the Empire 8.

With the win EC earns the four seed in the Empire 8 tournament and will travel to play the one seed and No. 6 team in the nation Stevens Institute of Technology. The two teams will square off in the conference semifinals Friday, November 2nd in Hoboken, NJ at 4:00 p.m. The winner will play the winner of two seeded St. John Fisher and three seeded Ithaca on Sunday at the highest remaining seed's venue.

The first half was a scoreless contest as Elmira held a 5-4 shots and 4-1 shots on goal edge. Out of intermission the Soaring Eagles controlled more of the opportunities as it held a 7-3 shots and 3-1 shots on goal mark in the second half. Early in the 55th minute Elmira used good ball movement and quick, sharp passes to penetrate the Pioneer defense. Andre Germano '15 (Campinas, Brazil --Winchendon School) received a pass in the penalty box as he was fouled by a Utica defender. Germano stepped up and delivered on the ensuing penalty kick, beating Pioneer keeper Anthony Caruso into the right corner of net for the score.

In the closing minutes the Purple and Gold continued to control the ball and the defense remained a solid fortress, as it allowed just two shots on target over 90 minutes. Kevin Huggins '16 (Cooperstown, NY -- Cooperstown) finished with two saves in the win, while Caruso stopped seven shots in the loss for Utica.


Elmira honored its four seniors Alexander Poole '13 (Chilmark, MA -- Martha's Vineyard), Cameron Ware '13 (Andover, CT -- RHAM), Brian Schuppel '13 (Walton, NY -- Walton) and Nolan Pratt '13 (Erwinna, PA -- Palisades) prior to the contest.

The Soaring Eagles return to action Friday when they travel to Hoboken, NJ for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff against Stevens in the Empire 8 Semifinals.