Utica, NY -- The Elmira College women's soccer team got a goal in the seventh minute and never looked back, rolling to a 4-0 shutout victory over Utica College. With the win, EC has secured a winning record in the regular season and are now eligible for postseason play for the first time since 2005.
Needing a win or a tie to maintain eligibility for the ECAC Tournament, the Soaring Eagles came out firing on all cylinders. Elmira's first scoring play came on a build-up just over six minutes into the game. After regaining possession near midfield,
Niki Lemper '17 sent a long ball over the top of the defense to
Danielle Fournier '15 who ran it down in the area to the left of the goal. Fournier made one defender miss near the end-line, took two dribbles, and then played the ball to the top of the 18-yard box where
Mackenzie Donohue '15 was making a run. Donohue blasted the one-time shot into the upper-right corner of the net, putting EC on top, 1-0.
It did not take long for the Purple and Gold to double their lead as this time it was Fournier who would find the back of the net just 13 minutes later. A give-and-go between Fournier and
Mollie Hamilton '15 gave Fournier a one-on-one with the Utica goalkeeper. Fournier slid the ball under the arms of the keeper, making it 2-0 in favor of the Soaring Eagles.
Already down 2-0, Utica's chances for making a comeback dropped as the Pioneers saw one of their players sent off with a second yellow card, forcing them to play with just 10 women for the remaining 57:20 of the game. EC took full advantage of the man-up situation, scoring their third goal of the evening less than one minute after the disqualification. Getting in on the action was
Melanie English '15 who would score off a corner kick play. The service from
Amy Sullivan '18 traveled to the back post and settled at the feet of
Allie Olsen '16. Olsen sent a quick pass to English, who was standing at the six-yard box, and then watched as her senior captain finished the play for her second goal of the season.
With EC comfortably ahead, 3-0, the pace of play slowed down as the Soaring Eagles looked to just maintain possession. Now into the second half, Fournier would put the exclamation point on Elmira's win with her second goal, an unassisted goal, in the 70th minute. EC would hold that 4-0 advantage for the final 20 minutes of play to close out the victory.
The Soaring Eagle defense limited the action saw by starting goaltender
Amanda Banner '17, who returned to the net after a one-game absence. Banner stopped the only shot she saws all game, leading to her fourth shutout of the season. With tonight's shutout, Banner is now tied for ninth in EC history for shutouts in a season and tied for seventh in Elmira history with six career shutouts.
The Purple and Gold will now await the announcement of the ECAC Tournament field. If the Soaring Eagles are selected to compete in the tournament, they will begin play on Wednesday, October 12th at a location to be determined.
