Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's Soccer team got into the win column this afternoon as the Soaring Eagles posted a 2-0 shutout win against the Wildcats of SUNY IT.  Elmira's Ronaldo Charlton '18 delivered the game-winning goal in the first half on a one-time blast from 18 yards out, giving the rookie forward his second goal of the season.  
 
Elmira took a more offensive approach to today's game as the Soaring Eagles outshot the Wildcats 22-to-15, marking the first time this season EC has outshot an opponent.  The number of Elmira shot attempts was trumped only by the quality of looks they had today as the Purple and Gold forced SUNY IT into several vulnerable positions on defense.
 
Elmira's first real scoring chance came in the 24th minute when Chris Aristizabal '16 launched one from just outside 18 yards, forcing SUNY IT goalkeeper Jesse Yanarella to make a full extension save.  Tony Barraco '18 had a similar play in the 28th minute when, from 20 yards out, he placed a shot towards the upper right corner of the goal, forcing Yanarella to make another leaping save.
 
The Soaring Eagles kept pressing in the first half and it paid off in the 35th minute when Barraco delivered a ball from 50 yards out to Donte Donegal '18, who elevated over top a defender and flicked the ball with his head past the defensive line to a sprinting Ronaldo Charlton '18.  Charlton would let the ball bounce twice before ripping his shot past a diving goalie into the upper left corner of the net for EC's first goal of the game. 
 
The Purple and Gold attack did not stop there however.  Elmira's pressure continued in the second half as the Soaring Eagles nearly scored a pair of goals less than 10 minutes after the halftime break.  In the 47th minute, Donegal received a through ball in a good attacking position but his shot would miss the target and sail high.  Then, in the 54th minute, Victor Rosas-Granda '18 just narrowly missed the goal on a bending ball from 16 yards out that looked to be heading for the far-side post but would be stopped by Yanarella who made another diving save. 
 
However, Elmira's relentlessness was rewarded in the 67th minute when Barraco knocked-in his second goal of the season.  Barraco's goal was setup by Rosas-Granda who had a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper but did not manage to get a shot off as Yanarella made a diving tackle, knocking the ball loose to stop the initial pressure.  Fortunately for the Soaring Eagles, Barraco stayed with the play,found the loose ball, and buried it in the back of the net to give EC a 2-0 lead.
 
Baracco's goal was more than enough as the Purple and Gold held on to win it, 2-0.  A large part of today's win can be credited to starting goalkeeper Austin Mansell '16 who made six saves en route to his first collegiate win and Elmira's first win of the 2014 season.  Mansell now has 40 saves this year. 
 
Elmira will look to use the momentum from today's win this Saturday, November 1st when the Soaring Eagles travel to take on Empire 8 Conference opponent Houghton College in the 2014 season finale.  Kick-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Houghton, NY.