Elmira, NY -- After falling behind late in the first half, the Elmira College women's soccer team (3-3-2, 1-1-1 E8) rallied in the second half behind a two-goal effort by Sara Kazerouni '18, resulting in a convincing 3-1 victory over visiting Stevens Institute of Technology (5-4-0 1-1-0 E8).
 
Although all three of Elmira's goals came in the second half, the Soaring Eagles did have two quality scoring opportunities in the first half.  EC nearly scored the game's opening goal in the ninth minute of play when, on a set piece from 30 yards out, Kimi Girmus '16 saw her shot carom off the far-side post.  Then, less than 10 minutes later, Danielle Fournier '15 had a one-on-one opportunity with the goalie but would be tripped up on the play and was not able to put a shot on frame.
 
Stevens scored the game's first goal when they were awarded a penalty shot at the 39:31 mark.  Raba Nassif buried the penalty kick in the right side of the net, just barely beating Gabe Carmona '18 who dove in the right direction only to see Nassif's shot sneak by her.
 
The Ducks of Stevens nearly took a 2-0 lead when Carly Bean, sister of former EC women's soccer play Mikayla Bean '14, snapped a header that missed wide left.  A little over a minute later, Sandi Komar had an opportunity to give the Ducks some cushion but her header attempt sailed high, keeping it a one-goal game.
 
Elmira's Kazerouni subbed into today's game for the first time at the 69:51 mark.  The move to bring her in may have been the best move Coach Ashley Bingaman made as the first-year talent drastically changed the outcome of today's game in just 13 minutes of action.
 
Kazerouni tied the game at the 75:43 mark when she received a pass from Amy Sullivan '18 and proceeded to beat her defender, allowing her to bury a shot over the goalie's head for Elmira's first goal.  Then, at the 82:49 mark, Kazerouni used her speed to once again to beat her defender and the scenario played out the same as she once again beat the Stevens keeper high for the score, putting EC ahead 2-1.
 
With the game coming to a close, senior Mackenzie Donohue '15 put an exclamation point on today's win as she made good on a free kick from 24 yards out, burying the shot in the 89th minute to give Elmira a 3-1 lead and eventually the win. 
 
Carmona, Elmira's goalkeeper, picked up the win today as she made eight saves.  She now has 61 saves on the season. 
The Soaring Eagles will be back in action this Tuesday, September 30th when Elmira hosts Fredonia State University in a non-conference game at 4:00 p.m.