Elmira, NY -- The Elmira College men's soccer team will look to earn their first Empire 8 Conference win this weekend as the Soaring Eagles host Utica College on Saturday, September 27th at 3:00 p.m. Tomorrow's matchup will be a rematch of last year's season finale, a game that sent the Pioneers of Utica into the 2013 Empire 8 Conference Tournament.
Last Time OutIn their most recent contest, the Soaring Eagles suffered a 5-0 loss at home to the Warriors of Lycoming College. For the Warriors, the win over Elmira kept Lycoming's record unblemished as they improved to 7-0-2.
Series HistoryElmira and Utica have faced each other 12 times since the 2002 season. The Soaring Eagles have won seven of those 12 meetings, but the Pioneers have won two of the last three meetings, including last year's 2-1 defeat of Elmira in the regular season finale. Additionally, six of the 12 games have been decided by a single goal, four of which have been won by the Soaring Eagles.
Shane's Got GameAt a towering 6'6", fourth-year striker Shane Ruffing '15 is an intimidating figure on the pitch, and rightfully so. The Rochester native boasts an Empire 8 Conference leading eight goals and is averaging 1.0 goals per contest which ranks 13th in all of NCAA Division III men's soccer.
Looking AheadFollowing today's game, the Soaring Eagles will travel to Alfred, NY for a non-conference tilt with Alfred State on Wednesday, October 1st at 6:00 p.m. Following Wednesday's contest, Elmira will return to Campus Field for an Empire 8 Conference game against the Bombers of Ithaca College on Saturday, October 4th at 3:00 p.m.
