Reading, PA -- Abby Saturni '18 scored her second goal of the season with just under 12 minutes left in regulation, breaking a 1-1 tie and lifting the Elmira College women's soccer team to a 2-1 road victory over Alvernia University.
Amanda Banner '17 received the starting nod for today's contest and made three saves for the victory.
The Soaring Eagles got off to a slow start against Alvernia, as the Crusaders statistically dominated the first half of play. Alvernia outshot EC 8-0 and earned five corner kicks compared to Elmira's zero in the first half, but EC's defense maintained the "bend but don't break" notion and kept the Crusaders off the scoreboard. Banner also recorded all three of her saves in the first half, leading to a 0-0 tie at the break.
It appeared that the Purple and Gold flipped a switch during halftime as they came out looking like a different team in the second half. EC dominated possession early in the second half leading to many quality scoring chances. The heightened aggression and increased offensive pressure led to Elmira's first break of the contest as an Alvernia defender was whistled for a handball inside the box with under 18 minutes to play, giving EC a penalty kick.
Danielle Fournier '15 stepped up to take the penalty kick and buried it in the right side of the net to give Elmira the 1-0 lead. For Fournier, the successful penalty kick marked the first goal of her collegiate career.
EC's advantage did not last long, however, as Alvernia answered back to tie the game just 56 seconds later on a long shot from 35 yards out. The bending shot bounced just out of the reach of Banner and into the back of the net making it a 1-1 game.
The flurry of goals continued as the Purple and Gold once again went on the offensive. After turning the Crusaders over near midfield,
Mollie Hamilton '15 gathered the ball and looked towards Saturni, who was making a run towards the 18-yard box. Hamilton threaded the needle with her 25-yard through ball, hitting Saturni in stride just as she entered the box. Saturni, with a defender on her right shoulder, took two dribbles and blasted the shot past Alvernia's keeper, putting EC back ahead, 2-1, with 11:02 to play.
With the 2-1 lead and just over 11 minutes on the clock, the Soaring Eagles took their foot off the gas and dropped everyone behind the ball. The defensive approach would hold off the Crusaders' push for the equalizer as Elmira would hold on for the 2-1 victory.
The Purple and Gold will be back in action on Thursday, October 16th when they host Alfred State College for a non-conference contest. The game is scheduled to start at 4:00 p.m. on EC's Campus Field.
