Box Score

Elmira, NY – The Elmira College Men's Soccer team used a two-goal first half lead to oust visiting SUNY Canton 3-1 Saturday afternoon on Campus Field in the ECAC Semifinals. The win improves the Soaring Eagles to 13-6 overall, while the loss drops the Roos to 8-9-1.
 
The 13 wins this season tie the most victories for the Soaring Eagles in program history. This year's team ties the 1989 team who went 13-3-1 and the 1995 squad that finished 13-2-2.
 
Elmira controlled play and scoring opportunities from the start. Just over two minutes into the contest Alexander Poole '13 made a nice spin move and struck a shot off the right post. Andre Germano '15 nearly put the rebound home but the ball trickled out of bounds for a Roo goalkick before he could collect it. At the 2:49 mark Ryan Bertsch '16 played a quick cross from right to left to Empire 8 Rookie of the Year Tre Ming '16 who drilled a shot into the left corner of goal for the early 1-0 lead.
 
In the 30th minute the Soaring Eagles used great teamwork to extend its lead to two. Ernesto Valverde '14 took the ball down the right sideline and crossed the ball to Ryan Limero '14 who played a quick touch back to Poole running to the left on an overlap. Poole lined a shot beating Canton keeper William Banahene. The Roos actually held a 4-3 shots on goal advantage in the opening half but four big saves by Kevin Huggins '16 had EC up 2-0 at intermission.
 
Ten minutes into the second half the Soaring Eagles had a defensive lapse. Abdulal Jagana took a corner kick that hit an Elmira defender and trickled into the back of the net for an own goal. In the 64th minute Francesco Cardiollo made a great individual effort on the right sideline freeing himself as he played a cross to a cutting Antonio Kadylak. Kadylak connected with a one-time volley but Huggins made a stone cold save from point blank range to keep the EC lead at 2-1.
 
With just less than four minutes remaining the Purple and Gold added a huge insurance goal as Ming fed the ball up to Brian Lowe '16 who beat Banahene just inside the post.  The Soaring Eagles packed in its defense with a two-goal lead and held off the Roos for the 3-1 victory.
 
Huggins finished with five saves in net for Elmira, while Banahene made three saves for Canton.
 
The Soaring Eagles return to action Sunday when they take on the Sage Colleges at 12:00 p.m. on Campus Field for the ECAC Championship. The Gators defeated Cazenovia College 2-0 in Saturday's other semifinal. Elmira and Sage met earlier this season in Elmira with Sage prevailing 2-1.
 

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