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Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's soccer team combated both the heat and the physical play of Penn State Harrisburg on their way to a 2-1 victory in their home opener. The game got interesting late in the second half, but newcomer Nick Lapinski '17 was able to make the biggest save of his young career to secure the win. The win takes EC to 1-0 on the year and drops PSU-Harrisburg to 0-1.

Elmira seemed to show some first-game jitters as they were unable to capitalize on the chances they had early on, but once the guys settled down, EC was able to get into a rhythm and began applying pressure on the Lions defense.

The Soaring Eagles were finally able to break through in the 21st minute off the left foot of Ryan Bertsch '16. Ernesto Valverde '14 sent a corner towards the net which was turned away by a lunging Deven Gerhart, but the ball deflected off a PSU-Harrisburg defender and rolled into an open area in front of the goal. Bertsch came crashing into the box and cleaned up the rebound, giving EC a 1-0 lead. Elmira had a few other chances in the half, but they did not amount to anything as the score would hold 1-0 at the half.

The second half brought out the physicality of the sport as both teams jockeyed for positioning up and down the pitch. The physical play did not affect EC however, as they continued to attack the net. Just over eleven minutes into the second half, the Soaring Eagle offense would strike again. Valverde received a pass just over midfield and quickly found Jared Cipriano '14 streaking down the sideline. Cipriano, with no hesitation, sent the ball into the box where Michael Bryant '17 elevated above his defender and finished with a header into the opposite corner of the goal, his first wearing the Purple and Gold.

The 2-0 lead would hold for most of the rest of the second half, but fatigue started to set in late in the game allowing PSU-Harrisburg to get a few more looks at the net. The Lions recorded their first goal of the 2013 season with just under five minutes to go. Justin Henderson carried the ball down the left sideline and crossed the ball to the box where he found teammate Jon Willingham making his run. Willingham snapped his header past a diving Lapinski, cutting the deficit to one and giving his team some life.

PSU-Harrisburg had one final look at tying the game with about 1:20 left on the clock, but Henderson's blast was deflected out of the attacking area by Lapinski. The Soaring Eagle defense would hold strong for the final minute as the game ended in a 2-1 victory.

Lapinski, making his first career start, made four saves on the day en route to the win. Elmira outshot PSU-Harrisburg 15-11 as well.

Elmira College returns to action Monday, September 9th when they host Alfred State University at EC's Campus Field. Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.