Hamburg, NY -- The Elmira College men's soccer team (0-3-1) had not scored a goal in their first three contests, but today against Hilbert College (1-3-1), the EC men put three goals on the scoreboard thanks to a heroic effort by rookie forward,
Donte Donegal '18 who netted three goals this afternoon. Donegal's hat-trick helped lead the Soaring Eagles to a 3-3 overtime tie against the Hawks of Hilbert.
The Soaring Eagles did not make things easy for themselves in today's contest as Elmira surrendered the game's first goal at the 4:52 mark of the first half. Then midway through the first half, Elmira gave up back-to-back scores less than two minutes apart, leading to an early 3-0 deficit.
However, Donegal would cut the Hilbert lead to two in the 39th minute as he scored his first collegiate goal on an assist from
Kyle Beekman '18. Donegal's goal sent the Soaring Eagles into the halftime break trailing, 3-1.
With a two goal lead, the Hawks upped the pressure in the second half, outshooting the Soaring Eagles 10-to-5. Fortunately for Elmira, quality over quantity paid off as the Purple and Gold scored two times off of those five shots.
Donegal scored two unanswered goals in the second half to tie things up at 3-3. Donegal's second goal of the contest came in the 55th minute as he quickly fired a shot from the top of the 18-yard mark for the score and then scored his third goal on a header in the 73rd minute.
Tony Barraco '18 was credited with the assist on Donegal's third goal.
Elmira nearly scored what would have been the game-winner in the 86th minute when
Austin Mansell '16 snapped a header that looked like it would find the back of the net. Unfortunately, Mansell's shot caromed off the post, keeping the game at a 3-3 standstill after 90 minutes.
Both teams looked to score in the overtime periods but would walk away from the extra 20 minutes scoreless as the game ended in a 3-3 overtime tie.
Jordan Dougherty '16 got the start in net for the Soaring Eagles today, his first start of the 2014 season. Dougherty made nine saves in 110 minutes of play.
Elmira will look to continue their scoring ways this Tuesday, September 16th when the Soaring Eagles host former Empire 8 Conference foe, and current Liberty League opponent, Rochester Institute of Technology. Kick-off is slated for 4:00 p.m. on Elmira's Campus Field in Elmira, NY.
